DAILY CLIPS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2020 LOCAL NEWS: Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Pioneer Press

Vikings’ Mackensie Alexander to have knee surgery, Stefon Diggs misses practice due to illness By Chris Tomasson https://www.twincities.com/2020/01/07/vikings-mackensie-alexander-to-undergo-knee-surgery-stefon- diggs-misses-practice-due-to-illness/

Vikings’ quiets critics with the right kind of loud: ‘You Like That!’ By Chris Tomasson https://www.twincities.com/2020/01/07/vikings-kirk-cousins-is-quieting-critics-so-it-was-time-for-another- you-like-that/

No more injury talk for Vikings’ Dalvin Cook. ‘I’m good,’ he says By John Shipley https://www.twincities.com/2020/01/07/no-more-injury-talk-for-vikings-dalvin-cook-im-good-he-says/

Jace Frederick: Vikings’ key to success Saturday? Keep Kirk Cousins upright against 49ers’ fearsome front By Jace Frederick https://www.twincities.com/2020/01/07/jace-frederick-vikings-key-to-success-saturday-keep-kirk-cousins- upright-against-49ers-fearsome-front/

Vikings still feeling disrespected — and using that to their advantage By Paul Hodowanic https://www.twincities.com/2020/01/07/vikings-still-feeling-disrespecting-and-using-that-to-their-advantage/

Star Tribune

Kirk Cousins' brain was in 'sweet spot' against Saints By Mark Craig http://www.startribune.com/kirk-cousins-brain-was-in-sweet-spot-against-saints/566794392/

For Vikings' most stunning calamity, go back to 1970 By Pat Reusse http://www.startribune.com/for-vikings-most-stunning-calamity-go-back-to-1970/566793172/

Vikings Mackensie Alexander has knee surgery By Ben Goessling http://www.startribune.com/vikings-cornerback-mackensie-alexander-faces-knee-surgery/566780632/

Vikings' Dalvin Cook was 'banged up,' not injured, before heavy workload By Ben Goessling http://www.startribune.com/vikings-dalvin-cook-was-banged-up-not-injured-before-heavy- workload/566794902/

Ready for the Vikings: Garoppolo prepares for postseason debut By Josh Dubow http://www.startribune.com/jimmy-garoppolo-ready-for-1st-playoff-start-for-49ers/566789782/

U.S. Tennis Association moving to the headquarters campus in Eagan By Rochelle Olson http://www.startribune.com/u-s-tennis-association-moving-to-the-minnesota-vikings-headquarters-campus- in-eagan/566778172/

SKOR North

How the Vikings can run their way through the playoffs By Matthew Coller https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2020/01/how-the-vikings-can-run-their-way-through-the-playoffs/

Could Vikings’ offensive coordinator be staying put? By Judd Zulgad https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2020/01/could-vikings-offensive-coordinator-be-staying-put/

Report: Vikings cornerback to undergo surgery on meniscus By Judd Zulgad https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2020/01/report-vikings-cornerback-to-undergo-surgery-on-meniscus/

Scouting report on referee assigned to work Vikings-49ers playoff game By Judd Zulgad https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2020/01/scouting-report-on-referee-assigned-to-work-vikings-49ers- playoff-game/

The Athletic

Vikings Mailbag: Are the 49ers a good matchup? Depends how you look at it By Arif Hasan https://theathletic.com/1515936/2020/01/07/vikings-mailbag-are-the-49ers-a-good-matchup-depends-how- you-look-at-it/

NATIONAL NEWS: Wednesday, January 8, 2020

ESPN

Ranking the NFL's best playoff moments: The Catch, Hail Mary and more By Paul Gutierrez https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28422364/ranking-nfl-best-playoff-moments-catch-hail-mary-more

Maven Media

With Memories of Their Last Playoff Exit Still Fresh, Vikings Aren't Satisfied With One Win By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-49ers-preview-dalvin-cook-not-satisfied

MULTIMEDIA NEWS: Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Zimmer Hands Out Game Balls To Cousins and Rudolph, Gives Speech After Win Over Saints By Vikings Entertainment Network https://www.vikings.com/video/zimmer-hands-out-game-balls-to-cousins-and-rudolph-gives-speech-after- win-over-s

Tale of the Tape: Who Ya Got, Vikings or 49ers? By NFL Network https://www.vikings.com/video/tale-of-the-tape-who-ya-got-vikings-or-49ers

Pro Football Focus' Key Matchup To Watch In Vikings-49ers Matchup By NFL Network https://www.vikings.com/video/pro-football-focus-key-matchup-to-watch-in-vikings-49ers-matchup

Remembering AC vs. San Fran By WCCO http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=d9227039-2780-4416-b04a-4006fb11b603

NFL Playoffs: Vikings vs. 49ers By KARE http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=54f4e12e-f5db-4752-8bb4-30ff3df61715

Rare Opportunities By KMSP http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=86f3c410-7713-4f07-9b3b-be6a15965cac

Vikings, 49ers Start Prep By KSTP http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=084dac86-27a6-487d-8205-26ed71487229

VIKINGS ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK: Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Tuesday's Vikings-49ers Injury Report By Chris Corso https://www.vikings.com/news/minnesota-vikings-san-francisco-49ers-injury-report

New Week, New Plan Likely for Vikings D-Line Vs. 49ers By Craig Peters https://www.vikings.com/news/new-week-new-rush-plan-likely-for-vikings-d-line-vs-49ers

10 Vikings-49ers Numbers of Note: Meeting for Series’ 6th Divisional Round Matchup By Lindsey Young https://www.vikings.com/news/10-vikings-49ers-numbers-of-note-meeting-for-series-6th-divisional-round- matchup

Lunchbreak: 3 Vikings Listed as Most Impactful in Playoffs Thus Far By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/lunchbreak-3-vikings-listed-as-most-impactful-in-playoffs-thus-far

Game Preview: Vikings-49ers By Craig Peters https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-49ers-game-preview-divisional-playoffs

PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 1/8/20

Vikings’ Mackensie Alexander to have knee surgery, Stefon Diggs misses practice due to illness

By Chris Tomasson

The Vikings were shorthanded in the secondary against , and it didn’t cost them. Now, they’ll see how they stack up against Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Vikings defeated Brees and the Saints 26-20 in a wild-card playoff game last Sunday at the Superdome without Mackensie Alexander, who was out with a knee injury, and Mike Hughes, who had been placed on injured reserve with a neck injury.

A source said Tuesday that Alexander will undergo arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee on Thursday at the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Fla., and miss Saturday’s divisional playoff game at San Francisco. So, the Vikings will be in the same predicament against Garoppolo, the 49ers’ talented young .

Not practicing for the Vikings on Tuesday were Alexander, Stefon Diggs (illness), nose tackle Linval Joseph (knee) and safety Jayron Kearse (toe/knee). The report was called an “estimation” because the practice was a walk through.

The severity of Diggs’ illness was not known. It also remains to be seen if Kearse’s injury ends up further depleting the secondary.

The source said there could be a chance of Alexander returning later in the playoffs if the Vikings win Saturday, however that won’t be known until after the surgery. If it’s determined that Alexander, due to be a free agent in March, has no chance to return, he could be a candidate to be placed on injured reserve.

With Alexander and Hughes being the team’s the top two nickel backs, the Vikings turned to safety Andrew Sendejo, a nine-year veteran, to play that spot against the Saints for what he said was the first time in his career. He was in for 35 of the 56 defensive snaps and had a solid outing. Kearse also can play nickel but was not in for any plays from scrimmage at New Orleans.

Hughes had been in a cornerback rotation with Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes. Against the Saints, Rhodes was in for 48 plays and Waynes 53. Holton Hill got 14 snaps, and he vows to be ready if needed for more.

“Obviously, it’s never good when you lose your brothers and your teammates,” Hill said of the injuries. “It’s like the next man up, and it’s, like, no excuse. The next person has to be ready, and if I’m that guy, I’m going to take whatever role the team asks me to do and just play my part.”

ADVERTISEMENTSCROLL TO CONTINUE READING HOLLINS’ MISSED CHANCE The Vikings inserted undrafted rookie receiver Alexander Hollins into the lineup for one play Sunday, and it was almost a big one.

With 7:07 left in the game and the Vikings leading 20-17, they faced third-and-8 at their 39. Kirk Cousins threw a deep pass the middle to Hollins, who had the before it slipped out of his hands following a hit by C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

“It was a good throw,” Hollins said. “I’ve just got to come down with the ball. The DB got a hand on it, but I’ve got to make that play. They put me in for that play, and they expect me to make that play.”

The Vikings activated Hollins, rather than Laquon Treadwell, for Sunday’s game, making him the fourth receiver. He impressed them by catching the first two passes of his career for 46 yards in the regular-season finale against Chicago.

“That was one that if we had lost, you’re really kicking yourself over not connecting on that one,” Cousins said of the incompletion. “When you win, you can forget about it, but either way it’s a play you want to be able to hit.”

MATTISON BACK TO CALIFORNIA Rookie running back Alexander Mattison was out when the Vikings played Dec. 15 at the Los Angeles Chargers, not far from his native San Bernardino, Calif.

Mattison will take another trip back to California for Saturday’s game, but Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., is 400 miles from San Bernardino. Mattison is expected to have some supporters on hand, and he’s glad to be feeling good after suffering a high right ankle sprain Dec. 8 against Detroit.

The injury forced Mattison to miss the final three regular-season games. He returned to carry five times for 20 yards and have one catch for 10 yards at New Orleans.

“I felt good out there,” he said. “I warmed up the right way, prepared the right way, and so everything felt good.”

RELATED ARTICLES The Loop NFL Picks: Divisional playoffs Vikings’ Kirk Cousins quiets critics with the right kind of loud: ‘You Like That!’ No more injury talk for Vikings’ Dalvin Cook. ‘I’m good,’ he says Jace Frederick: Vikings’ key to success Saturday? Keep Kirk Cousins upright against 49ers’ fearsome front Vikings still feeling disrespected — and using that to their advantage BRIEFLY — Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski was expected to interview this week for the Carolina head coaching position, but the Panthers decided to move quickly and agreed Tuesday to hire Matt Ruhle away from Baylor. Stefanski is still expected to interview this week for Cleveland’s head coaching job.

— The Vikings did some roster housecleaning Tuesday by waiving seven retired players off reserve lists. Let go were defensive backs and Asher Allen, Christian Ballard, wide receiver Lane Danielson, Chad Fann, linebacker Jason Glenn and center Kenny Sandlin. Ballard quit the team unexpectedly during training camp in 2013.

— The only players on San Francisco’s practice injury report Tuesday were defensive ends Dee Ford (quadriceps, hamstring) and Kentavius Street, and guard Mike Person (neck), all listed as limited. PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 1/8/20

Vikings’ Kirk Cousins quiets critics with the right kind of loud: ‘You Like That!’

By Chris Tomasson

Vikings teammates had been prodding Kirk Cousins all season to yell his catchphrase, “You Like That!” They finally got him to do it.

After the quarterback led the Vikings to a 26-20 overtime victory over New Orleans on Sunday in an NFC wild-card playoff game, coach Mike Zimmer gave Cousins a game ball. Cousins then made a short speech, closing with “You Like That!”

“It was nuts because we were all baiting him to say that,” defensive lineman Ifeadi Odenigbo said Tuesday. “It was like, ‘Hey man, what are you going to say?’ The fact that he said that was excellent timing.”

NFL Update @MySportsUpdate Kirk Cousins in the #Vikings locker room after the win...

"YOU LIKE THAT?!?"

(via @AndyMacSports)

Embedded video 21.7K 3:50 PM - Jan 5, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 5,486 people are talking about this Cousins was quarterbacking the Washington Redskins when he first screamed “You Like That!” after an Oct. 25, 2015 game against Tampa Bay. After the Redskins got off to a 2-4 start that season and trailed the Bucs 24-0 in the second quarter, the Redskins came back to win 31-30.

ADVERTISEMENTSCROLL TO CONTINUE READING Cameras caught Cousins, who played for Washington from 2012-17, yelling the phrase several more times during his remaining years with the Redskins. But until Sunday, he had pretty much kept it under wraps since joining the Vikings in 2018.

“When he said, ‘You Like That!’ we were were all just screaming and going crazy,” tight end Irv Smith Jr. said.

Why not roll it out again? After hearing much criticism about how he can’t win big games, Cousins led the Vikings on a nine-play, 75-yard drive in overtime to beat the Saints in overtime. He hit Adam Thielen on a 43-yard pass to the Saints 2 and three plays later threw a 4-yard to for the win.

For his efforts, Zimmer gave Cousins a game ball. The coach said Monday it was fitting because of “all the bad rhetoric that he gets” and “it was time to tell a lot of people that he’s our guy and he did it.”

On Tuesday, Cousins shrugged that off.

“Game balls can go to whoever they go to, he said. “I’m just glad we won the game.”

Two days after Sunday’s dramatic win, Cousins was doing his best to look forward. The sixth-seeded Vikings play Saturday at San Francisco, the NFC’s top seed, in a divisional playoff game.

“You get right back to work,” Cousins said. “We were in (Monday), watching tape, talking about the plan, and (Tuesday) again. … Playing on the road all year long, handling noise, it’s going to be the same this week. You go back to the same things you’ve leaned on for this season, last week, my whole career, of what you’ve got to do to handle the noise and handle an adverse environment.”

Cousins did that before a raucous crowd at the Superdome. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown.

“It’s a tough environment, but you also train for that and understand that’s my job,” he said.

Now, Cousins will face the 49ers (13-3) for the first time at Levi’s Stadium, where they went 7-1 this season. Cousins has played the 49ers twice in his eight-year career, both times at home.

Cousins’ first Vikings game was against the 49ers, a 24-16 win on Sept. 9, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium that saw him complete 20 of 36 passes for 244 yards and two . The 49ers, who went 4-12 last season, are much better team now, but Cousins said they were formidable even then.

“When you look back at some of the names on that defense, it was a lot of the same players who are all-pro now,” he said.

San Francisco coach Kyle Shananhan knows all about Cousins. He was the offensive coordinator during Cousins’ first two seasons with the Redskins.

“Kirk kind of looks like he always does to me, very efficient, can make some plays,” Shanahan said. “I think he’s continued to do a good job this year. They’ve used him a little differently. They don’t throw the ball as much, which has probably made them tougher to beat and a better team.”

RELATED ARTICLES January 7, 2020The Loop NFL Picks: Divisional playoffs January 7, 2020Vikings’ Mackensie Alexander to have knee surgery, Stefon Diggs misses practice due to illness January 7, 2020No more injury talk for Vikings’ Dalvin Cook. ‘I’m good,’ he says January 7, 2020Jace Frederick: Vikings’ key to success Saturday? Keep Kirk Cousins upright against 49ers’ fearsome front January 7, 2020Vikings still feeling disrespected — and using that to their advantage Shanahan didn’t need to see Cousins get his first career playoff victory at New Orleans to believe he can win big games. Never mind that in Cousins’ previous game, a critical 23-10 home loss to Green Bay in Week 16, his record as starter on dropped to 0-9.

“I just laugh at it,” Shanahan said of the criticism Cousins gets. “I think Kirk’s won plenty of big games. I just watch how people look on tape — and I go with how good they look, not what their record is on Monday night.”

Regardless, Zimmer made a point of emphasizing why he gave Cousins a game ball.

“It was a special moment,” Vikings running back Dalvin Cook said. “I’m happy for Kirk. … I know there have been a lot of critics of No. 8, but we’re happy to have him in Minnesota as our quarterback.” PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 1/8/20

No more injury talk for Vikings’ Dalvin Cook. ‘I’m good,’ he says

By John Shipley

Dalvin Cook was surprised Tuesday to be asked about injuries that kept him out of two games as the Vikings wound down the regular season.

“What injury?” he replied.

Since being sidelined in the third quarter of a 37-30 loss at Seattle on Dec. 2, Cook has been listed on every Vikings injury report, first with a chest injury, then — after the star running back left a 39-10 victory over the Chargers in Los Angeles — a shoulder injury.

He missed two of those games, losses to Green Bay and Chicago in the final two games of the regular season, before returning to run for 94 yards in last weekend’s 26-20 playoff victory at New Orleans.

“I never got injured; I got banged up,” Cook explained. “An injury and getting banged up are two different things. I didn’t get injured this year, I got banged up. We took a precaution of sitting me out and taking care of me so I could get ready for the stretch.”

That strategy clearly worked; Cook was terrific against the Saints, establishing the Vikings’ run game early and scoring on 1- and 5-yard runs. He also caught three passes for 36 yards as Minnesota advanced to Saturday’s divisional-round game against the top-seeded 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif.

Cook was on Tuesday’s injury report (shoulder) but listed as a full participant in practice.

“I’m good, everybody on the team’s good,” Cook said. “We’ve got (the) starting lineup that we started with Day 1 going into this game. I’m fine, just to let you all know it’s all about us at this point, it ain’t all about me.”

Still, it’s not crazy to ask about Cook’s health.

ADVERTISEMENTSCROLL TO CONTINUE READING For one thing, since being drafted in the second round of the 2017 draft, Cook has missed 20 games because of knee, hamstring and shoulder injuries. For another, the Vikings are a much better team when Cook plays, and even better when he plays well — 10-1 when he runs for 90 yards or more.

And before you say, yeah, every NFL team does well when they have a running back that runs for about 100 yards, consider that since Cook was drafted, the Vikings have had only four 100-yard rushers who weren’t Cook: Latavius Murray (twice in 2017, once last season) and Jerick McKinnon (once in 2017).

To have a chance against the 49ers (13-3), the Vikings (11-6) will in all likelihood need another big game from Cook, who, finally healthy, has had a breakout season. After leading the NFL in rushing early, he has run 278 times for 1,229 yards in 15 games including his playoff debut against the Saints.

RELATED ARTICLES The Loop NFL Picks: Divisional playoffs Vikings’ Mackensie Alexander to have knee surgery, Stefon Diggs misses practice due to illness Vikings’ Kirk Cousins quiets critics with the right kind of loud: ‘You Like That!’ Jace Frederick: Vikings’ key to success Saturday? Keep Kirk Cousins upright against 49ers’ fearsome front Vikings still feeling disrespected — and using that to their advantage The 49ers, who got a playoff bye after winning the NFC West, finished second in the NFL in total defense, giving up an average of 281.8 yards a game. Against the rush, however, they were 16th, allowing 112.6 yards a game.

Cook vows to be ready.

“If you saw me after (Sunday’s) game, I was cheering but I knew we’ve got to go play San Fran. That’s a tough team,” he said. “Right after that, I was keyed in and ready to go. If you heard me after the game, I said, ‘That’s just one. That’s just one down.’ We can celebrate and do what we do; that was a big win. But it’s one, and we’ve got to get ready to play.”

COOKIN’ Here’s a look at the Vikings’ record since taking Dalvin Cook in the second round of the 2017 draft when he …

PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 1/8/20

Jace Frederick: Vikings’ key to success Saturday? Keep Kirk Cousins upright against 49ers’ fearsome front

By Jace Frederick

The Vikings’ postseason outlook changed dramatically last Sunday, when a strong defensive performance and a couple of key overtime throws from the previously maligned Kirk Cousins led Minnesota to Wild Card weekend’s biggest NFL upset and had Vikings fans again dreaming big.

Hey, Cousins proved he could win a big game, the Vikings’ top offensive weapons appear to be in good form and Minnesota’s defense looks like its former self. What’s to stop this team from making a run all the way to the ?

The 49ers’ defensive line, for one.

The two times the Vikings offense was at its worst this season were at Chicago in Week 4 and in that Monday night debacle in Week 16 at home against Green Bay. The primary problem on both occasions: Kirk Cousins was running for his life.

Tough defensive lines tend to give Minnesota fits.

The Vikings’ offensive line is much improved from where it was a year ago, but it’s still susceptible to a strong pass rush. Khalil Mack ate the Vikings’ lunch early in the season, and Green Bay sealed the NFC North Division title on the back of Za’Darius Smith.

In the fourth quarter of those games, the clock wasn’t an enemy of the trailing Vikings, but rather a savior. When it hit triple zeroes, the beating was finally over.

On both occasions, Cousins was under constant duress for the game’s duration. Green Bay logged 10 pressures on the Vikings’ signal caller, while Chicago had 11.

Cousins doesn’t tend to handle those situations well. Few do. Fans get frustrated with the quarterback’s inability to create something out of nothing, but that’s not really part of his skill set. But if Cousins has proven anything this season, it’s that if Minnesota can protect him in the pocket, he can make the throws necessary to lead the team to success.

ADVERTISEMENTSCROLL TO CONTINUE READING Such was the case against New Orleans. Minnesota’s offense held up relatively well, as Cousins was only hit five times by a defense that tallied the third most sacks during the regular season.

But doing the same against San Francisco won’t be easy. The 49ers have what Dalvin Cook called the best front seven the Vikings have faced. San Francisco has four linemen who have logged at least 6.5 sacks this season. The 49ers have interior menaces such as all-pro tackle DeForest Buckner, and electric edge rushers like Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead. That’s not including former Pro Bowl linebacker Kwon Alexander, who is expected to return this weekend after a lengthy absence due to a torn pectoral muscle.

That terrorizing front gets home with its pass rush as often as any team in the league, and does so without sending extra rushers.

According to Pro Football Reference, the 49ers were tied with Washington for the second-highest pressure percentage during the regular season (28.7 percent), all while blitzing on the fourth-lowest percentage of plays (20.9 percent). That pass rush made look pedestrian in a Sunday night blowout in late November — what might it do to Kirk Cousins?

RELATED ARTICLES The Loop NFL Picks: Divisional playoffs Vikings’ Mackensie Alexander to have knee surgery, Stefon Diggs misses practice due to illness Vikings’ Kirk Cousins quiets critics with the right kind of loud: ‘You Like That!’ No more injury talk for Vikings’ Dalvin Cook. ‘I’m good,’ he says Vikings still feeling disrespected — and using that to their advantage The Vikings won’t want to find out. And while some of the onus Saturday will indeed fall on Minnesota’s offensive line, it’s also on Kevin Stefanski, Gary Kubiak and Co. to find ways to minimize the effectiveness of San Francisco’s fearsome front.

That likely equates to running the ball and hitting short passes — perhaps getting Cook involved in the screen game that has been so effective this season? — to stay on schedule and avoid the second- and third-and-long situations that inevitably will end in Minnesota’s quarterback taking one hit after another.

If Cousins spends most of Saturday afternoon on the turf, that will likely mean the end of the Vikings’ season. If Minnesota can keep him upright, well, last weekend showed you what can happen. PUBLICATION: Pioneer Press DATE: 1/8/20

Vikings still feeling disrespected — and using that to their advantage

By Paul Hodowanic

Though few outside the Vikings organization seemed to think the team could beat the in the wild-card playoff round, the players themselves say they never doubted their chances.

Two days after the team’s biggest win of the season, 26-20 in overtime, the Vikings are ready for another round of doubters as they prepare for the divisional round on Saturday against the , who arguably present an even tougher hurdle for Vikings to clear.

Awaiting the Vikings in Santa Clara, Calif., is the NFC’s No. 1-seeded team, which ranks in the top 5 in offensive yards and points, and in the top 10 for defensive yards and points allowed. Yet, this Minnesota squad is keen on squashing any tempered expectations anyone may have.

“Right now, we are starting to see the media, you guys, saying that this is an easy walk for the 49ers, but we’re used to this,” defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo said. “We’re used to people counting us out, so we’ve just got to play our ball, stay focused, and everything will take care of itself.”

That mind-set certainly worked for the Vikings a week ago. Coach Mike Zimmer started the opening week of the playoffs by highlighting the fact that his Vikings were a touchdown underdog against the Saints. Even worse, the Vikings were left out of an NFL promo video announcing the playoff field. Talk about feeling disrespected. This week, while they were included in the NFL’s newest playoff promo — twice, in fact — they remain more than a touchdown underdog to the 49ers.

“It’s about respect. You work hard week in and week out to get it, and when people take it from you, decide not to give it to you, you feel some type of way,” defensive end Stephen Weatherly said. “So, you’ve got to go out there and play your brand of football, and eventually people will have to give you the respect that you’ve earned, that you deserve.”

It’s a feeling that the Vikings’ opponent knows well, according to San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan, who feels even after an 8-0 start the 49ers haven’t strayed from the underdog mentality they had the two seasons prior when they went 10-22.

“We were underdogs for two straight years … here we’re sitting with the one-seed and we feel the exact same,” he said. “I’m sure that’s something that fires (our team) up, and I’m sure that’s something that fires Minnesota up the exact same way.”

For Minnesota, the mind-set starts with its head coach. Zimmer was quick to point out the Vikings’ detractors in his weekly news conference leading up to the Saints games. And he brought it up in team meetings throughout the week, players said.

ADVERTISEMENTSCROLL TO CONTINUE READING “‘I trust you guys. Nobody else trusts you guys,’” Odenigbo recalls Zimmer saying in a team meeting.

“It starts with Zim,” Odenigbo continued. “We’ve been a top-tier defense, a top-tier team, and everybody just wants to count the Vikings out … but we’re excited to be playing on prime time and showing what we’re all about.”

A win Saturday would inevitably silence many of Minnesota doubters, but don’t expect that to be the end of the Vikings’ us-against-the-world mentality, which they figure to ride until they are eliminated or sit atop the NFL holding the Lombardi Trophy.

“No matter who we go against, we’ve just got to go out there and do our part and worry about us,” defensive end Danielle Hunter said. “We know what we’re capable of, and a lot of people are going to be doubting us, so we’re just going to go out there and do our part.” PUBLICATION: STAR TRIBUNE DATE: 1/8/20

Kirk Cousins' brain was in 'sweet spot' against Saints

By Mark Craig

Most NFL fans are pretty savvy about the value of screaming their brains out any time the enemy faces third down. And those who aren’t as astute typically get eardrum-splitting cues via piped-in sound effects and overcaffeinated public address announcers screaming that it’s time to become verbally unhinged.

No venue is better at this than the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

And yet it was Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins who outclassed future Hall of Famer Drew Brees on third-down plays as a 7½-point road playoff underdog in Sunday’s 26-20 overtime upset.

Against the Saints’ No. 6-ranked third down defense, Cousins completed nine of 12 passes with seven first downs, no turnovers, 110 yards and the game-ending touchdown in overtime.

Surgery Alexander, could end his time with Vikings Surgery sidelines Alexander, could end his time with Vikings Mackensie Alexander had an operation to repair a meniscus tear and will need to decide whether he wants to test the free-agent market. Meanwhile, against the Vikings’ 19th-ranked defense, Brees completed five of seven passes with two first downs, no touchdowns, an and a measly 17 yards, 14 of which came on his last third-down attempt.

“It’s a tough [third-down] environment, but you also understand that and train for it,” Cousins said. “That’s my job, our job as a team, as an offense to be effective in those situations no matter how challenging they may be. Fortunately, we made enough plays.”

Indeed.

In fact, Cousins would have been 11 of 12 with nine first downs and about 50 more yards if rookies Bisi Johnson and Alexander Hollins hadn’t dropped passes.

As it was, the Vikings still converted a season-high 10 third downs overall. In the toughest environment they’ll face all season.

Next up on Saturday is San Francisco and a more forgiving but still NFL-caliber venue in terms of noisy fans. The NFC’s No. 1-seeded 49ers match the Saints’ 13 wins while ranking higher in third-down defense (No. 2, 33.3%) and sacks per pass play (No. 3, 9.25%).

Cousins feels prepared. And not just because the Vikings will spend this week practicing as artificial crowd noise blares through nearby speakers.

VideoVideo (01:56): Vikings QB Kirk Cousins is looking forward to the next playoff challenge this weekend against the San Francisco 49ers. Cousins was asked if there’s anything else quarterbacks can do on their own to prepare for the nerve-racking noise of third downs on the road. Anything that can train one to lower his heart rate, control his breathing and maintain focus.

“There’s a lot,” he said. “Year round I’m doing things to train. Starting with my sleep, my diet, my practice reps out here, memorization of the plays all week to try and make the calling of the play and the execution of it as easy as possible. Neurofeedback and all kinds of things you do to try and be at your absolute best.”

He brushed aside a follow-up question on “neurofeedback,” but that was a reference to his long relationship with a Michigan-based company called Neurocore.

In past interviews, Cousins has talked about how Neurocore’s brain-training exercises “retrained” his brain to operate in a “sweet spot” even as 70,000 people are screaming for his brain to malfunction. During the exercises, electrodes attached to the scalp monitor brain activity and activate positive feedback when the brain, heart rate and breathing reaches that so-called “sweet spot.”

Cousins has worked with Neurocore since his days at Michigan State. According to the Washington Post, he stepped up his training with the company after Washington benched him in 2014, his third NFL season.

“I see it as the next frontier,” Cousins told the Post in 2015. “You look at weightlifting in the 1950s and ’60s, not every football player was lifting weights. … Now everybody has a strength coach; everybody lifts weights. And I see brain training kind of being that next thing. I just want to maximize what I’ve got.”

Read the Washington Post article here

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was Washington’s offensive coordinator during Cousins’ first two seasons. He turned him on to brain-training exercises.

“That’s something I always respected about how Kirk thought,” Shanahan said Tuesday. “Kirk’s always doing something to better himself as a player, as a man, as a husband, a person, everything. He’s off the charts with that stuff.

“I don’t know how much that’s done for him as a player. … But I believed it enough. That’s why I do that stuff also. I think it’s good for anybody.”

Critics can make the argument that Cousins’ brain has often struggled finding its “sweet spot” on game days. But it sure connected in the Big Easy.

“It’s how he’s looked all year,” Shanahan said. “That’s why when you take out running the ball on third down, Minnesota is the No. 2-ranked passing team on third down. That’s what the challenge is this week.” PUBLICATION: STAR TRIBUNE DATE: 1/8/20

For Vikings' most stunning calamity, go back to 1970

By Pat Reusse

There’s not much question that NBC’s pregame coverage of the NFL playoff game on Saturday in San Francisco will include a highlight or two from the most disappointing loss in Vikings history, what with it being the exact 50th anniversary of that event.

Newer generations of Vikings fans might claim that disappointment came in an NFC title game, the 30-27 overtime loss to on Jan. 17, 1999, in the Metrodome, or perhaps the 31-28 overtime loss to New Orleans on Jan. 24, 2010, in the Superdome.

Defeats that bind Vikings generations together in a sense of fatalism, for sure, but those of us who were around on Jan. 11, 1970, to witness and fully comprehend the 23-7 loss to Kansas City in the fourth Super Bowl can assure you of this:

On a per capita basis of Minnesotans, Dakotans and Iowans north of Fort Dodge, neither of those overtime losses in conference title games caused the level of complete disbelief that did watching Bud Grant’s monsters of Midway (they practiced at the old St. Paul stadium) get manhandled by the Chiefs on that Sunday at Tulane Stadium.

As certain as we were that and the ultra-explosive Vikings were going to blow past the Falcons inside a frenzied Metrodome, Purple fandom was not as certain as they were on Jan. 11, 1970, that the People Eaters would devour the Chiefs, the last champions of the “inferior” AFL.

As devoted as we became to , an aging and ramblin’ man on the field and in interviews, it did not equal the fanatical embrace of Joe Kapp, the proud “Chicano” with the filibustering interviews, the quarterback who would leap short defenders in a bound.

JS, AP Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp walked off the field after a turnover during the second half of Super Bowl IV. In the fall of 2009, you could stop at a bar — say, O’Gara’s in St. Paul — on a Sunday and hear a couple of cynics say, “Ah, he’s still a Packer,” as Favre was leading the Vikings down the field.

In the fall of 1969, there was no chance to hear, “Ah, he’s still a BC Lion,’’ as Kapp wobbled a 40-yard completion to Gene Washington. “We’re 40 for 60, 40 players for 60 minutes,” Kapp said as he rejected the team MVP award at a public honors banquet at the end of the regular season, and Vikings fandom went nuts.

“We not only have the greatest defense and grittiest offense, we not only have a coach and a team that embrace rain, snow or sleet, we have the greatest team spirit,’’ shouted the fans.

The Purple masses were so happy they could cry. And then they did, with real tears.

First, that photo of Kapp walking off late in the 23-7 thumping administered by the Chiefs, beaten, battered, holding his right shoulder in agony. Then, the Super Bowl film, with Chiefs coach Hank Stram cackling at the Vikings’ futility to stop his mastermind offense.

And finally: The news that Kapp had teamed with a lawyer, John Elliot Cook, to pursue free agency for the quarterback, and that he wouldn’t be showing up in 1970 training camp in Mankato.

Amy Klobuchar, our U.S. senator running to be the Democratic candidate for president, was a 10-year-old girl that summer. She was a Vikings zealot, by way of her father, Jim, the great Vikings biographer from Twin Cities newspapers, and has admitted crying in disillusionment over the Kapp news.

Minus Kapp, the Vikings followed with two more seasons of mauling defense that was short-circuited in the playoffs by a void at quarterback.

On January 27, 1972, the Vikings finally replaced Kapp by bringing back Sir Francis Tarkenton in a trade with the New York Giants. This was followed by a 7-7 flop in 1972, and then three Super Bowl losses in the next four seasons — glory, but not quite all of it.

Yet, when we go back those 50 years on this Saturday, failing to win a Super Bowl in that time, or Gary Anderson’s “only’’ miss, or 12 Men in the Huddle, or 41-doughnut, or the Herschel Walker trade, or the Love Boat, those defeats and pratfalls are not the story of this Minnesota franchise.

The Vikings have given the loyalists plenty to cheer over those 50 years, more so than the other entities in this sports market — including Gophers in their many forms. Another grand moment came Sunday, in the overtime victory in which the Vikings thoroughly outplayed the Saints as 8.5-point underdogs.

In the half-century since the first Super Bowl loss, the Vikings have been in the playoffs 29 times, compared with 22 for the Packers, 15 for the Bears and 12 for the discombobulated Lions as division rivals.

They made an inspired run through New Orleans and San Francisco in January 1988 before losing narrowly in Washington, D.C. If they were to make it a long-shot trifecta of road wins this time, at New Orleans, at San Francisco and, sweetest of all, at Lambeau Field, what tales that would add to Vikings lore.

And if the end result was running into Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, just as Bud’s warriors ran into Lenny Dawson (Chiefs), (Dolphins), (Steelers) and Snake Stabler (Raiders), and a Super Bowl loss for the thumb, it would remain a fantastic voyage.

That’s really what’s here to celebrate as Jan. 11, 2020, approaches:

Fifty years of consistent winning, amazing characters on a spectrum from steely Bud to goofy Randy, and enough agony to keep things spicy.

The Vikings and their faithful: I’d call it a perfect relationship.

OK, dang near perfect. PUBLICATION: STAR TRIBUNE DATE: 1/8/20

Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander has knee surgery

By Ben Goessling

Two days after Mackensie Alexander showed up on the Vikings injury report with a knee injury that limited him in the team’s final regular-season practice, the team had the cornerback on the field for a Week 17 game in which it sat many of its starters.

Now, Alexander will miss the Vikings’ second playoff game after having surgery on his knee.

According to an NFL source, the cornerback had an operation to repair a meniscus tear, and will be out for Saturday’s divisional playoff game against the 49ers. It remains to be seen if Alexander could return in time for the Super Bowl, should the Vikings advance that far, but if the team’s season ends before the cornerback can return, it’s possible Alexander has played his last game for Minnesota.

The 2016 second-round pick will be a free agent after this season, and could opt to test the market after a two-year stretch that saw him improve in coverage and turn into an effective pass rusher as part of the Vikings’ blitz packages. He posted a career-high four sacks last season, taking advantage of free runs at quarterbacks after holding his disguise long enough to avoid teams devoting protection to him.

Alexander, 26, played in 13 games this season and had an interception.the plays we made,” said All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks, “it’s just playing winning football on third down.” PUBLICATION: STAR TRIBUNE DATE: 1/8/20

Vikings' Dalvin Cook was 'banged up,' not injured, before heavy workload

By Ben Goessling

Running back Dalvin Cook posted 130 rushing and receiving yards for the Vikings on Sunday in his return from chest and shoulder injuries. When asked how he’s doing after handling a 31-touch workload, Cook said he’s feeling fine — in part because he was “banged up,” not injured.

“ ‘Injured’ and ‘banged up’ are two different things,” he said. “We took a precaution of sitting me out, taking care of me so I could be ready for the stretch. I was good. I never get down about being hurt. That comes with the game, comes with playing physical and playing my position. Some guys can shoulder the load a little different. Some guys are different. I’m just a little different than other guys. I can play through a lot of things. I just got banged up. I didn’t get injured.”

The running back’s 28 carries on Sunday were a season high, and his 31 touches were his second most of the year, behind the 33 he logged in Dallas on Nov. 10.

“We’re in the playoffs; we’re having fun. I’m good. Everybody on the team’s good. We got our starting lineup that we started with Day One, going into this thing. I’m fine, just to let y’all know. It’s all about us at this point; it ain’t really about me.”

VideoVideo (03:47): Stefon Diggs was not on the field because of illness; Dalvin Cook says he wasn't injured this year, just banged up. Alexander has surgery

Two days after Mackensie Alexander showed up on the Vikings injury report with a knee injury that limited him in the final regular-season practice, the team had the cornerback on the field for a Week 17 game in which it sat many of its starters.

Now, Alexander will miss the Vikings’ second playoff game after having surgery on his knee.

According to an NFL source, the cornerback had an operation to repair a meniscus tear and will be out for Saturday’s divisional playoff game against the 49ers. It remains to be seen if Alexander could return in time for the Super Bowl, should the Vikings advance that far, but if the team’s season ends before the cornerback can return, it’s possible Alexander has played his last game for Minnesota.

The 2016 second-round pick will be a free agent after this season and could opt to test the market after a two-year stretch that saw him improve in coverage and turn into an effective pass rusher as part of the Vikings’ blitz packages. He posted a career-high four sacks last season, taking advantage of free runs at quarterbacks after holding his disguise long enough to avoid teams devoting protection to him.

Diggs out because of illness

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs missed the Vikings’ short practice on Tuesday because of illness, sitting out as the team got back to work after Sunday’s win in New Orleans. Diggs, who posted a picture of himself receiving IV fluids on his Instagram account on Monday, was the only player other than Alexander not seen in the brief open portion of practice.

The Vikings’ first session of the week was effectively a walk-through, which lasted fewer than 45 minutes. The team called its first injury report of the week an estimation and listed Linval Joseph (knee) and Jayron Kearse (knee/toe) as non-participants, in addition to Diggs and Alexander.

Browns the only option for Stefanski

The Panthers, who had been scheduled to interview Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski this week for their head coaching job, filled the opening by hiring Baylor head coach Matt Rhule on Tuesday.

That, and the Giants’ decision to hire former Patriots assistant Joe Judge, means the NFL’s only current head coaching opening is with the Browns. Cleveland is scheduled to talk to Stefanski this week after making him one of their two finalists for the head coaching job that went to Freddie Kitchens last year. PUBLICATION: STAR TRIBUNE DATE: 1/8/20

Ready for the Vikings: Garoppolo prepares for postseason debut

By Josh Dubow

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Jimmy Garoppolo's postseason experience consists of a couple of garbage-time handoffs for New England during the 2014 AFC championship game that is remembered far more for the controversy surrounding deflated footballs.

Garoppolo will carry a much bigger burden when he makes his first career playoff start for San Francisco as the 49ers host the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday in their first playoff game since the 2013 season.

"I've seen the atmosphere in the building ramp up, the atmosphere of the coaches and players and everyone," Garoppolo said Tuesday about the lessons he learned during his time with the Patriots. "Just a lot more energy in the building for sure."

Garoppolo's first full season as a starting quarterback in the NFL was a success as he helped lead the Niners (13-3) to the playoffs for the first time in six years, earning the top seed in the NFC.

He had highs and lows, with Garoppolo's 18 turnovers being the most by any playoff quarterback but his four fourth- quarter comebacks tying for the most in the NFL.

In all, the good outshone the bad moments. Garoppolo posted three games with four TD passes and ranked third in the league with 8.4 yards per attempt.

That performance helped justify the commitment San Francisco made to him following his 5-0 finish to the 2017 season after a midseason trade from New England.

The Niners rewarded Garoppolo with a five-year, $137.5 million contract in the hopes that he would lead the team back to the playoffs and then shine on the big stage.

"He's been the same guy since he's been here since Day 1," tackle Joe Staley said. "He's going to try to be the most prepared person he can be. He'll practice the same way every day. He's not going to try to reinvent anything. He's not going to try to do anything different. He's going to be the same person for this franchise that he's been."

The first season of the deal was hardly a success. He threw three in a season-opening loss to the Vikings and then suffered a season-ending knee injury in a Week 3 loss at Kansas City.

That injury contributed to coach Kyle Shanahan's reluctance to put too much on Garoppolo's plate early this season, relying more on a dominant defense and running game.

But as the defense regressed in the second half of the season and opposing defenses focused on shutting down the running game, Garoppolo showed the ability to carry a much heavier load.

He had a pair of four-touchdown games against Arizona, had a mostly flawless prime-time performance against Green Bay, led the fourth-quarter comeback in a 48-46 win at New Orleans and beat the Seahawks on the road in the season finale to clinch the division and top seed.

Now the Niners are counting on Garoppolo to deliver in the postseason.

"I thought last week was a playoff game," Shanahan said. "That was pretty intense when we played Seattle. He's shown he can handle himself with poise. ... I think Jimmy has played some pretty big games. Anyone who's around him in those games and talks to him, it's not much different in those games than it is in a preseason game."

Garoppolo has more playoff experience than most of his teammates, having served as 's backup in New England in Super Bowl-winning runs in the 2014 and '16 seasons.

But the only time he made it on the field came in the closing minutes of the 2014 AFC championship game against Indianapolis, when he handed off twice in a 45-7 win. Brady was later suspended four games when the NFL said he directed equipment staffers to deflate footballs to make them easier to grip.

Receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who has played in Super Bowls for Pittsburgh and Denver, said the key in the playoffs is sticking to the same formula that got teams there.

"I don't have to talk to Jimmy about that," Sanders said. "How many Super Bowl rings does that guy got? He knows. He knows what it takes to go all the way and win it all. He's seen the preparation of one of the great quarterbacks of all-time. At the end of the day he understands the process."

NOTES: LB Kwon Alexander practiced again and is on target to be activated from IR after tearing his pectoral muscle on Oct. 31. ... DE Dee Ford (hamstring, quadriceps), S Jaquiski Tartt (ribs) and G Mike Person (neck) also practiced and should be able to return this week. PUBLICATION: STAR TRIBUNE DATE: 1/8/20

U.S. Tennis Association moving to the Minnesota Vikings headquarters campus in Eagan

By Rochelle Olson

Tennis soon will join football at the Viking Lakes project in Eagan, which started as the NFL team’s new headquarters two years ago and has grown steadily since into the live/work/play campus envisioned by owners Zygi and Mark Wilf.

The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) Northern Section will move this year to the Eagan campus from its longtime headquarters at Lifetime Athletic in Bloomington.

USTA Northern Section executive director Becky Cantellano said the growth of the staff from three to 15 necessitated the move into the 3,000-square-foot office at the Vikings headquarters.

“We could have been in a typical office park, but this is much more exciting,” she said.

The nonprofit USTA is the national governing body for tennis in the United States and sponsors leagues and tournaments nationally. The Northern Section is one of 17 USTA units across the country.

The Northern Section doesn’t operate tennis courts, and none are planned for the Eagan campus. “We’re the first to be headquartered on the campus of a major sports franchise,” Cantellano said.

In 2016, the Minnesota Vikings acquired the nearly 200-acre property near Interstate 494 and Dodd Road, once the world headquarters of Northwest Airlines. The team moved to the site from its headquarters in Eden Prairie in 2018.

MV Eagan Ventures LLC, the Short Hills, N.J.-based development arm of the Vikings ownership, built and operated the campus. It includes the team’s practice facility and corporate headquarters, an outdoor stadium, museum, office space and orthopedics treatment center.

An Omni Hotel is under construction and expected to open this fall, and two apartment complexes with 261 units are expected to open in June 2021, according to Don Becker, executive vice president of real estate development for the Wilfs. The apartments will have a fitness center and swimming pool.

Becker called the tennis organization a “perfect fit” for the live/work/play design of the development.

Once the USTA moves in, the developers will have another 20,000 square feet to fill in the innovation center that opens onto the plaza by the stadium.

“We’re proud to welcome such a reputable, high-profile organization, and we look forward to recruiting future prominent additions to both the Innovation Center and the Viking Lakes campus,” said Mark Wilf, owner-president of MV Ventures.

PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 1/8/20

How the Vikings can run their way through the playoffs

By Matthew Coller

EAGAN — The goal of any opponent that goes up against the Minnesota Vikings is going to be slowing down Dalvin Cook. But the Vikings’ performance in New Orleans showed that the combination of a clever tactical game and Cook’s skill can be extremely hard to stop. And if the Vikings continue to succeed on the ground against San Francisco, they can control the clock, force opponents to pay even more attention to the backfield and have a good chance to move on in the playoffs.

The Vikings finished Sunday’s 26-20 win with 40 rushes for for 136 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. They held the ball for 36;56 against the Saints and used play-action to set up a 43-yard pass to Adam Thielen that put them in position to win.

How were the Vikings able to rush successfully against an opponent that was giving up the fourth fewest yards on the ground? How can they do it again? Let’s have a look…

Cook’s pure talent

Everything begins with the player in the backfield.

Sometimes the number of talented running backs in the NFL is mistaken with any old football player being able to suit up and rush for 100 yards. Of his 94 yards on Sunday, 65 of Cook’s rushing total came after contact.

His ability to spot holes and make decisions at lightning speed showed up on the very first .

Offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski dialed up a crack-back block from rookie tight end Irv Smith, who had a strong game as a blocker. He came underneath the formation, allowing right tackle Brian O’Neill to get up to the second level and Smith to take the defensive end. The center and guard double teamed the nose tackle and Cook sold that he was running to his left.

00:00 00:17

Linebacker DeMario Davis bit on the run left and Cook cut back into a and broke a tackle for a 7-yard gain.

“Having a feel and trusting your instincts and eyes,” Cook said on Tuesday. “Watching the film, practicing hard during the week to put myself in positions to know you have to just trust to hit [the hole] and go with it. That’s what I do come Sundays. I don’t think I just react.”

While receiver Adam Thielen fumbled on the first drive and gave the ball to the Saints, the first run from scrimmage showed the Saints that Cook had his burst back. He sat the final two weeks of the season to recover from chest and shoulder issues.

When he was fully healthy early in the year, Cook was in the mix for MVP. Through the first nine weeks he ranked No. 1 in yards and averaged 5.1 yards per carry. On Sunday he looked much closer to that version than the one we saw toward the end of the year against Seattle and Los Angeles.

Formations and motions

There are some teams that like to play one type of personnel group and make it difficult for opponents to predict run vs. pass. The Vikings have a different strategy: They use all sorts of different personnel groups and formations.

Against the Saints we saw runs out of everything from 13 personnel (three tight ends) to 11 personnel (three receivers). And out of those multiple looks, they used motions to force the Saints’ defense to adjust right before the .

The clip below includes eight men on the , three of which are tight ends. When Cam Jordan lines up outside against tackle Riley Reiff, they send Smith in motion and then pitch to the weak side.

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Below are other examples of using unique formations, a mix of personnel groups and motions.

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In Clip 1, Cook picks up big yards on an outside pitch out of 12 personnel (two tight ends). Receiver Stefon Diggs run “jet motion,” which means the snap comes when he’s behind the quarterback, giving the defense the idea that he might be running a sweep. While Diggs did not have success running the ball against the Saints, they gave it to him just enough for the Saints to have to respect the possibility.

Clip 2: The same motion is used out of 11 personnel at the goal line for Cook’s easy touchdown run. Notice the linebacker running almost out to the numbers tracking. Diggs while the running back walks through a gigantic opening.

Clip 3: Adam Thielen lines up in the backfield and fullback CJ Ham at outside receiver. Notice the safety go away from the play to chase Thielen at the snap. Also putting the fullback outside takes the Saints’ best linebacker with him out of the box and gives the Vikings a 3-on-2 matchup of linemen to box defenders on the outside rush.

The Vikings threw the kitchen sink at the Saints knowing that they would have to keep Drew Brees off the field and make New Orleans stop their best player.

Facing the 49ers

The plan on the ground is to take advantage of seven-man boxes, manipulate linebackers with motions and force the opponent to adapt personnel. The only way to blow up that plan on defense is with a monstrous performance from the front four. San Francisco has the personnel to do it.

“We know the challenge that they present up front,” Cook said. “They have a good front-seven, probably the best we’re going to face all year. This is a playoff game. We know what we’re getting ourselves into. We just have to go in and stay on schedule and that’s running the football and doing what we do.”

Overall PFF graded them the 11th best defense against the run (New Orleans was fourth) and statistically speaking they gave up the 17th most yards and ranked 23rd in yards per carry.

The door is open for Cook and the Vikings to continue to control the game on the ground, keep Kyle Shanahan’s offense off the field and look for deep shots in the play-action game.

That is not only a testament to Cook’s special ability to find holes and break tackles but the Vikings’ attention to detail in the run game.

PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 1/8/20

Could Vikings’ offensive coordinator be staying put?

By Judd Zulgad

Is there a chance Kevin Stefanski could return as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator for the 2020 season? It appears that way with all but one of the NFL’s head coaching vacancies having been filled.

There was a report on Monday that Stefanski could have an interview with the Carolina Panthers this week, but that won’t happen with the team selecting Baylor coach Matt Rhule as its coach on Tuesday. The Cowboys and Giants jobs also were filled this week with former Packers coach Mike McCarthy taking over in Dallas and New England wide receivers coach Joe Judge getting the New York job.

That leaves the as the only team still looking for a coach and ESPN reported Tuesday that the franchise would like to have a deal in place by Saturday, or the day that the Vikings will play at San Francisco in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs.

The Browns are looking to replace Freddie Kitchens, who was fired after one season. Cleveland has met with Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, the former Vikings running backs coach; Baltimore offensive coordinator Greg Roman; and San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

Stefanski, a finalist for the Cleveland job last year before Kitchens got the position, reportedly will meet with the Browns on Thursday, a day after Philadelphia defensive coordinator and former Lions coach Jim Schwartz talks to Cleveland executives. New England offensive coordinator and former Broncos coach Josh McDaniels reportedly will interview with the Browns on Friday. PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 1/8/20

Report: Vikings cornerback to undergo surgery on meniscus

By Judd Zulgad

The Vikings were able to beat the Saints in overtime of their first-round playoff game on Sunday without Mackensie Alexander and they will have to find a way to win without their top nickel cornerback again on Saturday in the divisional round against San Francisco, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Tom Pelissero ✔ @TomPelissero #Vikings CB Mackensie Alexander will have arthroscopic surgery for the small tear in his lateral meniscus, source said. Won’t play Saturday against the #49ers, but season not necessarily over if Minnesota can advance. Another challenge for Mike Zimmer’s defense.

337 11:21 AM - Jan 7, 2020 · Eagan, MN Twitter Ads info and privacy 115 people are talking about this With Alexander and Mike Hughes (neck and on injured reserve) out last Sunday, Andrew Sendejo was the surprise choice to step into the nickel role and, as Matthew Coller explains, the veteran did a fine job. So what is Zimmer’s plan for the 49ers’ offense? It could be more Sendejo or we could be surprised again. PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 1/8/20

Scouting report on referee assigned to work Vikings-49ers playoff game

By Judd Zulgad

Don’t be surprised on Saturday if you see a plethora of penalty flags thrown during the Vikings’ playoff game against San Francisco at Levi’s Stadium.

The NFL has announced that veteran referee Walt Anderson will work the game with what the league calls a mixed crew. That means Anderson won’t be working with the same officials he did during the regular season. What we do know is that Anderson and his regular crew did not hesitate to throw flags in the 16 games in which they worked. (The other 16 referees worked 15 games apiece.)

Anderson’s crew led the NFL with 284 penalties called (241 accepted), including a league-leading 37 pass interference calls. Thirty-one of those were accepted. There were 85 holding penalties called by Anderson’s crew (72 accepted). That was third-most in the league behind Jerome Boger (97) and (90).

Anderson, who began his NFL officiating career as a line judge in 1996 before being promoted to referee in 2003, was the referee for the Vikings’ 20-7 victory over Detroit on Dec. 8 at U.S. Bank Stadium. There were 12 penalties called in that game for 83 yards, including eight for 55 against the Vikings. ( and his crew called 10 penalties for 78 yards on Sunday in the Vikings-Saints game. Four of those for 26 yards were called on Minnesota.)

Anderson has worked two Super Bowls — Super Bowl XXXV between Baltimore and the Giants and Super Bowl XXXXV between Green Bay and Pittsburgh — and was the coordinator for the football officials in the Big 12 Conference for 12 years. PUBLICATION: The Athletic DATE: 1/8/20

Vikings Mailbag: Are the 49ers a good matchup? Depends how you look at it

By Arif Hasan

Kyle Shanahan and his cool hat have turned the 49ers from 4-12 into the NFC’s No. 1 seed. (Chuck Cook / USA Today) Where was Jayron Kearse against the Saints?

— Several people

I’m not entirely sure. Naturally, it ended up working out so it wasn’t a focus for discussion after the game, but my guess is that they preferred the quickness Andrew Sendejo has against Michael Thomas over the physicality that Kearse has, and Kearse may be the matchup weapon the Vikings want against San Francisco, who feature George Kittle in the slot.

Incidentally, the top two players in yards per route run from the slot are Kittle and Thomas. These matchups matter a lot.

If he doesn’t get run against the 49ers, that’s worth taking particular note of. Still, his absence has been generally notable — aside from the Week 17 Chicago game, where he took 100 percent of snaps, he last took significant snaps in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, logging over 50 percent of the available defensive snaps in that game. Since then, he hasn’t broken 10 percent of snaps and didn’t take one — even at special teams — against the Saints.

Arif, how much should I read into the fact that San Fran had an inordinate amount of luck in 1-score games. Are they as tough as they seem, or perhaps simply above-average with some luck mixed in? Looking for hope here I guess…

— Steve H.

In my first look at the Saints, I discussed a way of looking at one-score games that improved our understanding of which teams have generated a “lucky” record because of their performance in one-score games, called “game script.” Not all one-score games are the same, and allowing a late touchdown after generating a significant lead is not the same as being forced to stop an opponent at the 1-yard line to prevent a loss, as the 49ers well know. The Saints didn’t actually have as many close games as one would think based on their one-score record, and they had the NFC’s best “game script,” which essentially means they had the best average point differential over the course of the game of any NFC team.

By that measure, the 49ers are in the same boat. They have the second-best regular-season game script for an NFC team — though perhaps it’s heartening to know that the Vikings are third. But Ty Schalter at FiveThirtyEight looked at it from another angle, defining records in “coin-flip” games where win probability (based on point differential, possession, time remaining, field position and down and distance) dipped below 60 percent for any team within the final five minutes of a game.

It turns out that despite leading by a healthy margin for a good chunk of their games, the 49ers let opponents within meaningful striking distance to finish out those games — with 10 games marked as “coin-flips” by Schalter’s measure, going 7-3 in those contests. The Saints only had three coin-flip games and went 2-1 in them, while the Vikings had four and went 2-2. If the coin-flip record were reversed, the 49ers would have gone 9-7 and if every coin- flip game was marked as a tie, San Francisco drops to a record of .688 (6-0-10). That compares well with the Vikings record of .625 (8-4-4), which might be more accurately logged as .667 (8-3-4) because of the meaninglessness of the Week 17 game against the .

Either way, San Francisco is probably not as good as their record. On the other hand, that still means they are probably better than the Vikings. PUBLICATION: ESPN DATE: 1/8/20

Ranking the NFL's best playoff moments: The Catch, Hail Mary and more

By Paul Gutierrez

They elicit delight and dismay, depending upon where your fandom resides, of course. But they never disappoint. Not when you take into account the sheer lunacy and, well, luck involved. They are the best postseason plays in NFL history, as voted on by a panel of ESPN reporters who cover the league.

The usual suspects are here, from the to The Catch to David Tyree's helmet histrionics. A more recent vintage, like The , is represented, too.

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Biggest offseason needs for all 32 NFL teams: What to watch for in 2020 Our panel of NFL experts ranked the best postseason plays of the Super Bowl era. In and of themselves, it's hard to argue with the "wow" factor of each play. But when you dig deeper, you see just how with one foot, let alone a yard, this way or the other, NFL history is changed and with so many far-reaching ramifications. Big time. Indeed, these plays have helped launch dynasties as well as hastened declines. So let's in, the water's fine ... unless it's your team on the business end of one of ESPN's 10 best postseason plays in NFL history. play 0:42 Harris makes 'The Immaculate Reception'On Dec. 23, 1972, the Steelers' scooped up Terry Bradshaw's deflected pass for a game-winning touchdown in the AFC divisional round. 1. 'Immaculate Reception' Game: AFC divisional game between and Oakland Raiders

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Date: Dec. 23, 1972

Situation: Steelers trailed Raiders by one, fourth-and-10 at their own 40 with 22 seconds left

Play result: Running back Franco Harris 60-yard TD pass from quarterback Terry Bradshaw

Final score: Steelers 13, Raiders 7

What this play means to NFL history: In Pittsburgh, it is the equivalent of a religious experience. In Oakland, it is seen as something more sinister -- the "Immaculate Deception." Did running back John "Frenchy" Fuqua touch the ball first, or was it all safety Jack Tatum? (The rules at the time stipulated that only the first offensive player to touch a pass could catch it.) Did the ball touch the turf before Harris gained possession? Or what about the claim of linebacker that he was clipped by tight end John McMakin? The game tape has been scoured more than the Zapruder film and there are still no clear answers. Pittsburgh's first playoff victory meant nothing the next week, as the Steelers lost to the undefeated Dolphins. And the Raiders ended Miami's winning streak at 18 games in Week 2 of the 1973 season. But from the perspective of Pittsburgh, which has a statue of Harris making the catch at its airport, the play helped launch a dynasty, as the Steelers would win four Super Bowls in six years, starting with the 1974 season. And hey, Harris calls Villapiano every Dec. 23, just to ask what he was doing on that day in 1972. play 0:19 Clark makes 'The Catch'On Jan. 10, 1982, leaps to grab an unbelievable touchdown pass from late in the fourth quarter to lead the 49ers to a 28-27 NFC Championship Game victory over the Cowboys. 2. 'The Catch' Game: NFC Championship Game between San Francisco 49ers and

Date: Jan. 10, 1982

Situation: Cowboys led 49ers by six, third-and-3 at the Cowboys' 6-yard line with 58 seconds left

Play result: Tight end Dwight Clark 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Montana

Final score: 49ers 28, Cowboys 27

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What this play means to NFL history: Clark coming down from the heavens in front of a helpless Everson Walls after Montana had pump-faked defenders Ed "Too Tall" Jones, D.D. Lewis and Larry Bethea out of their cleats was more than a passing of the torch (Dallas had knocked San Francisco out of the playoffs three consecutive times in the early 1970s). The Catch also jump-started the Niners as the Team of the '80s while relegating America's Team to an afterthought for the decade. But keep in mind, were it not for Eric Wright's then-legal horse-collar tackle of a breaking-away Drew Pearson on the Cowboys' ensuing possession, The Catch would be a footnote and the Cowboys would have faced the Bengals in Super Bowl XVI. Instead, the Niners' West Coast offense became all the rage in a copycat league and Joe Montana became Joe Cool.

Bart Starr's 1-yard plunge to beat the Cowboys put the Packers in position to win their second Super Bowl title. Bettman/Getty Images 3. Ice Bowl QB sneak Game: NFL Championship Game between and Cowboys

Date: Dec. 31, 1967

Situation: Packers trailed Cowboys by three, third-and-goal at the Cowboys' 1-yard line with 8 seconds left

Play result: Quarterback Bart Starr 1-yard TD rush

Final score: Packers 21, Cowboys 17

What this play meant to NFL history: It made the QB sneak more than cool, regardless of the minus-15 degree temperature at kickoff, with an average wind chill of minus-48 degrees; it made it, well, iconic. Starr getting in after calling his own number from inside the 1-yard line behind a double-team block by center Ken Bowman and right guard Jerry Kramer without telling any other teammates also solidified Packers coach Vince Lombardi's legend. Sure, the Packers still had one more game to play, against the AFL champion Raiders in Super Bowl II, but at the time, winning the NFL title game was the thing. And beating the Cowboys for the second consecutive season for the NFL championship? How 'bout them Packers? play 3:38 Eli, Peyton recap the greatest upset in Super Bowl historyEli and Peyton Manning reflect on the David Tyree that helped the Giants beat the Patriots in arguably the greatest upset in Super Bowl history. For more Peyton's Places, sign up for ESPN+ today at https://plus.espn.com/ 4. 'The Helmet Catch' Game: Super Bowl XLII between New York Giants and New England Patriots

Date: Feb. 3, 2008

Situation: Giants trailed Patriots by four, third-and-5 from their own 44 with 1:16 left

Play result: Quarterback Eli Manning completes 32-yard pass to wide receiver David Tyree

Final score: Giants 17, Patriots 14

What this play meant to NFL history: The final catch of Tyree's otherwise prosaic career -- a play after cornerback Asante Samuel dropped what would have been a game-sealing interception -- kept alive the Giants' improbable winning drive and allowed the undefeated 1972 Dolphins to pop some corks. Yeah, the Giants beating New England ended the Patriots' epic season, one in which they won their first 18 games before losing in the Super Bowl. Oh, and those Dolphins? They are still the only team to go unbeaten and untied in a season at 17-0. Manning, who was nearly sacked three times on the play, called it the "luckiest" play in NFL history. play 1:15 Staubach schools Peyton on the 'Hail Mary'Peyton learns about the origin of the "Hail Mary" pass from Cowboys legendary quarterback, . For more Peyton's Places, sign up for ESPN+ today at https://plus.espn.com/. 5. 'The Hail Mary' Game: NFC divisional game between Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings

Date: Dec. 28, 1975

Situation: Cowboys trailed Vikings 14-10, at the 50-yard line with 32 seconds left

Play result: Wide receiver Drew Pearson 50-yard pass from quarterback Roger Staubach

Final score: Cowboys 17, Vikings 14

What this play meant to NFL history: Sure, the term "Hail Mary" to describe a last-ditch deep pass at the end of regulation had been around since at least the 1930s, but it became as commonplace as the term "America's Team" after Staubach found Pearson in front of a falling-down (or did Pearson push off Wright?) inside the 5- yard line. The Dallas win stopped a potential rematch of Super Bowl IX, in which the Vikings fell to the Steelers. Instead, the Cowboys went to Los Angeles, thumped the Rams for the NFC title and then fell victim to the Steelers in . And the is no longer a novelty; teams now scheme for it, both on offense and defense ... just in case. play 0:40 Titans stun Bills with 'Music City Miracle'On Jan. 8, 2000, the Titans shocked the Bills with 's miracle touchdown on the final play of the game to advance to the divisional round. 6. 'Music City Miracle' Game: AFC wild-card game between the and

Date: Jan. 8, 2000

Situation: Titans trailed Bills by one with 16 seconds left and were receiving a kickoff

Play result: Wide receiver Kevin Dyson takes lateral 75 yards for a touchdown

Final score: Titans 22, Bills 16

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What this play meant to NFL history: How close was 's toss to Dyson to being an illegal forward lateral, which would have rendered this null and void? Let's just say it was closer than Scott Norwood's missed at the end of Super Bowl XXV nine years earlier. And that was just fine with the Titans, who rode the play all the way to within a yard and a PAT of forcing OT in Super Bowl XXXIV against the Rams. The Titans would go to the playoffs five times in the next nine years, including the 2002 AFC title game, while the Bills would not return to the playoffs until the 2017 season. Perhaps the 1999 Jaguars felt the pain of this play more than anyone other than the Bills, as Jacksonville lost only three games that season -- all to the Titans, including for the AFC championship.

NFL Throwback ✔ @nflthrowback Malcolm Butler's goal-line interception in Super Bowl XLIX.

Four years ago today. @Patriots @Mac_BZ

Embedded video 597 8:18 AM - Feb 1, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy 254 people are talking about this 7. Malcolm Butler's game-sealing interception Game: Super Bowl XLIX between the Patriots and

Date: Feb. 1, 2015

Situation: Patriots led by four with 23 seconds left and the Seahawks at the New England 1-yard line

Play result: Butler intercepts quarterback 's pass in the

Final score: Patriots 28, Seahawks 24

What this play meant to NFL history: Conspiracy theories abound, like the Seahawks wanted Wilson to be the game's MVP with a passing touchdown, rather than running back Marshawn Lynch with a rushing TD. Or maybe coach just has difficulty in short-yardage situations (see: USC vs. Texas for the 2004 national title with Reggie Bush inexplicably off the field, or the Seahawks blowing a first-and-goal from the 1 against the 49ers in the 2019 finale). In any event, the goal-line pick kept Seattle from back-to-back Super Bowl titles and hastened a frustrated Lynch's one-year retirement a year later. For New England, it breathed new life into the Patriots' dynasty, as they would play in three of the next four Super Bowls, winning two. And maybe they win all three if Butler isn't benched for no discernible reason against the Eagles in Super Bowl LII.

"The Sea of Hands" touchdown pass from Raiders QB ended the Dolphins' dynasty but paved the way for Pittsburgh's to begin. Getty Images 8. 'Sea of Hands' Game: AFC divisional game between the Raiders and Dolphins

Date: Dec. 21, 1974

Situation: Raiders trailed Dolphins by five, first-and-goal at the Miami 8-yard line with 21 seconds left

Play result: Quarterback Ken Stabler throws 8-yard pass to running back

Final score: Raiders 28, Dolphins 26

What this play meant to NFL history: Stabler falling down and hitting Davis between three Dolphins -- Mike Kolen, and -- kept back-to-back champion Miami from going to its fourth straight Super Bowl. "Somebody had to stop those Dolphins," said linebacker Phil Villapiano, whose interception of Bob Griese after the Sea of Hands play sealed the victory. But the Raiders could not keep the momentum, falling the next week to the Steelers, who would win four titles in six years. Oakland would finally break through in 1976 and the Dolphins have not won a Super Bowl since.

The Cardinals weren't convinced Santonio Holmes got both feet down in Super Bowl XLIII. Matt Cashore/USA TODAY Sports 9. Santonio Holmes' winning touchdown Game: Super Bowl XLIII between the Steelers and the

Date: Feb. 1, 2009

Situation: Steelers trail by three, second-and-goal with 41 seconds left at the Cardinals' 6-yard line

Play result: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger throws a 6-yard touchdown pass to Holmes

Final score: Steelers 27, Cardinals 23

Get the best of ESPN sent to your inbox The ESPN Daily delivers the biggest sports news and moments every weekday. Email Address Sign me up! Privacy PolicyRead the Latest What this play meant to NFL history: Holmes' toe-tap catch in the right corner of the end zone on a seeming fire-drill scramble play by Roethlisberger enabled the Steelers to become the first team in NFL history to win six Super Bowls and Mike Tomlin became the second African American coach to win a Lombardi trophy. Pittsburgh would return to the Super Bowl (but fall to Green Bay) two years later, and the Steelers have not been back since. The Cardinals, who had been to the playoffs only four times in the Super Bowl era, have been to the playoffs only three times since Holmes outleaped defenders Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Ralph Brown and Aaron Francisco and kept Hall of Fame-bound QB Kurt Warner from his second ring.

NFL ✔ @NFL One year ago today... @casekeenum. @StefonDiggs. @Vikings.

MINNEAPOLIS MIRACLE!  (via @NFLThrowback)

Embedded video 7,491 9:18 AM - Jan 14, 2019 Twitter Ads info and privacy 2,297 people are talking about this 10. 'Minneapolis Miracle' Game: NFC divisional game between New Orleans Saints and Vikings

Date: Jan. 14, 2018

Situation: Vikings trailed by one with 9 seconds left, third-and-10 at their own 39-yard line

Play result: Quarterback Case Keenum throws 61-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs

Final Score: Vikings 29, Saints 24

What this play meant to NFL history: In and of itself, the play was remarkable -- first fourth-quarter, walk-off touchdown in NFL playoff history. Defensive back Marcus Williams inexplicably whiffed on the tackle of Diggs and he took the Vikings into the NFC title game, where they were spanked by the Eagles. Truly, this play robbed us of the potential Drew Brees-Tom Brady Super Bowl that has yet to come to fruition. PUBLICATION: CBS Sports DATE: 1/8/20

Ranking the Browns' 2020 head coaching candidates now that all other vacancies are filled

By Cody Benjamin

Matt Rhule opted for big bucks in Carolina, Joe Judge became this year's surprise hire by landing in New York, and now there's only one team left that has yet to find a head coach for 2020: The Cleveland Browns.

It's been more than a week since the Haslams pulled the plug on Freddie Kitchens, guaranteeing Cleveland will enter the new season with its eighth head coach in 13 years. Aside from a report that the team has "strong interest" in luring former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer from the college ranks to lead its staff, most speculation regarding Cleveland's opening has centered on candidates the club has officially interviewed.

In the spirit of helping the Browns end this never-ending nightmare that is their coaching carousel, we ranked the seven names who've either already met with the team or are reportedly scheduled to do so in the coming days. From worst to best, here they are:

7. Robert Saleh If anyone's capable of taking full advantage of Cleveland's defensive talent, it's Saleh. The guy has worked under Dan Quinn and Gus Bradley and is now guiding his own unit into a playoff run after a strong -- at times historic -- season in San Francisco. There are just too many question marks about whether he could assemble a good enough supporting staff, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, where the Browns need the most help. His personality would at least be fun.

6. Jim Schwartz Make no mistake: He draws the occasional ire of Eagles fans for some stubborn strategies, but he's been an above- average defensive coordinator for years. He's got head-coaching experience from his time with the Lions (2009- 2013). His fiery brand would also play pretty well with Cleveland's defense, which isn't far removed from working under . But this just doesn't feel like the right hire for a team in desperate need of an offensive reset, even if Schwartz's no-nonsense attitude could help the culture.

PAID CONTENT BY VERIZON Get more from Verizon. Now buy one of our best phones and get one free 5. Brian Daboll The 44-year-old has beefed up his resume since he last worked for the Browns (2009-2010), when Cleveland's offense ranked among the worst in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls and a national championship since that time. It's hard to tell whether his recent work with Bills quarterback Josh Allen is more indicative of his potential than, say, the fact he's mostly thrived as a position coach. But he'd certainly be an upgrade over Kitchens for Baker Mayfield.

4. Greg Roman In the simplest terms possible, Roman is like the sweeter version of Daboll. He's a mid-40s offensive coordinator with a background in coaching QBs and tight ends, and he's got experience at both the college and NFL level. The difference is Roman's gotten more notable results, at least statistically speaking. Widely known for his creative offense-building around Colin Kaepernick, Tyrod Taylor and now Lamar Jackson, he just might be the perfect strategist for Mayfield, a guy who's often at his best on the move.

3. Eric Bieniemy Maybe the most underrated candidate on the market, Bieniemy can't get all the credit for the Chiefs offense by virtue of working under Andy Reid, but the fact is he's been the coordinator for two of the most explosive K.C. seasons in team history. The former running back has almost 20 years of NFL coaching experience, he's had gigs overseeing Pro Bowlers like Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles, and he's due. Reid pupils historically fare very well, and Bieniemy has the pedigree to build both Mayfield and Nick Chubb.

2. Josh McDaniels We all like to poke fun at McDaniels for backing away from the Colts job in 2018, or for floundering in Denver back in 2009-2010. And those criticisms are warranted; the Browns would definitely need to investigate his commitment after the Indy incident. But it'd also be hard for Cleveland to get a more accomplished offensive mind in the building. McDaniels is still young at 43, he's had 16 years and six Super Bowl runs to learn from Bill Belichick and Co., and he's toyed with some very different Patriots offenses over the years.

1. Kevin Stefanski The Browns have had problems staying loyal to a head coach -- many times for good reason, other times the result of higher-up dysfunction. Stefanski, on the other hand, only knows NFL loyalty, starting with the Vikings in 2006 as an assistant to the head coach and sticking with Minnesota ever since. Along the way, he's coached QBs, RBs, TEs and, since December 2018, the entire offense. He got the best out of Case Keenum in 2017, rebuilt the unit for Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook in 2019, and he hails from a family with a front-office history (his dad, Ed, is a former NBA general manager). He's everything the Browns could ask for at this point: A young, proven offensive mind with the background to be a long-term leader. PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 1/8/20

With Memories of Their Last Playoff Exit Still Fresh, Vikings Aren't Satisfied With One Win

By Will Ragatz

EAGAN, Minn. — Dalvin Cook didn't feel like celebrating.

As teammates mobbed Kyle Rudolph, who had just caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime, Cook turned and walked away from the chaos. He wanted to get going on his postgame routine, which includes media obligations and brief conversations with opposing players. He was elated, of course, that his team had just stunned the heavily- favored Saints in their building to advance to the next round of the playoffs. Cook had played a big role in the victory, with 130 and two rushing touchdowns.

But he didn’t feel a sense of accomplishment. Within seconds of the game ending, Cook had already turned his focus to the future. That was clear during his first postgame task, an interview with Westwood One radio. “Remarkable, man,” Cook said through heavy breaths. “They doubted us. That’s just the start of something special.”

A pair of upper-body injuries slowed Cook during the second half of the regular season. He spent a lot of time in the training room to prepare himself and his body for this Sunday in New Orleans, his first NFL playoff game. In the biggest game of his life, he handled 31 touches – the third-heaviest workload of his professional career – to help lead his team to a win. As he stood there doing the interview, the stunned home crowd still processing what had happened, none of that was important. He was looking ahead.

ADVERTISEMENTSCROLL TO CONTINUE READING “I’m ready to go,” Cook told Westwood One. “We gotta go to San Fran next week. That’s what we on right now.”

He finished his on-field routine and walked back to the visiting locker room. As Kirk Cousins broke out the “you like that” line once again, Cook enjoyed the moment with the rest of his team. He spoke to local beat reporters. He decompressed. The whole time, his mind was on what it will take to do it again.

“I was cheering, but I knew we’ve got to go play San Fran,” Cook said on Tuesday. “That’s a tough team. Right after [the game ended], I was keyed in and ready to go. If you heard me after the game, I said, ‘That’s just one. That’s just one down.’”

Cook, like many of his teammates, remembers what happened the last time the Vikings won an emotional playoff game against the Saints. A week after the Minneapolis Miracle, they visited the NFC’s top seed, the Eagles, and were embarrassed in a 38-7 loss. That game left a bad taste in the mouth of everyone in a Vikings uniform. And with 14 of the 22 starters from that night in Philadelphia still around, Cook wasn’t the only one who was in a less-than- celebratory mood on Sunday.

“A lot of the guys that are here were here before, and so I feel like they’re a veteran team, they understand,” Mike Zimmer said. “We actually had a couple of guys saying, ‘hey, calm down’ in the locker room. We got to get ready to go play again. So I’m hopeful.”

Cook was not one of those 14 starters from the NFC title game; he was out with a torn ACL that cost him the vast majority of his rookie season. But he was there that night. He was around that week. And he believes that as the 2019 Vikings head to take on the NFC’s top seed – the 49ers, this time – they can avoid the same fate that befell them two years ago.

“This is a different team,” Cook said. “We’ve got a different identity, a different approach, different guys in the locker room, different mindset. We have to leave that in the past and know it’s a whole new group, a bunch in here that’s ready to go fight in any environment.”

The Vikings had a different quarterback then, too. One of the reasons why the franchise moved on from Case Keenum and guaranteed Kirk Cousins $84 million across three years was that they felt Cousins could get them over the hump. Things haven’t exactly gone to plan during the two seasons since then, with the Vikings missing the playoffs in 2018 and entering as the No. 6 seed this year.

Cousins, as the Vikings expected, has proven to have a higher ceiling than his predecessor. His 107.4 during the regular season was nine points better than Keenum’s 2017 figure and narrowly beat out 2009 Brett Favre for the second-best in franchise history (trailing only 2004 Daunte Culpepper). But that’s not why he was brought to Minnesota. He was brought here to win playoff games. And on Sunday, for the first time in his career, he did just that. Cousins got the job done in a huge moment, delivering two perfect throws in overtime to topple the Saints and potentially re-write the narrative of his career.

The keyword there is potentially. Cousins is a veteran and a self-aware guy. He knows that for as well as he played on Sunday, he has to go prove it again. He knows that his late-game heroics won’t mean much towards his reputation and legacy if he puts up a dud in the Bay Area. He wasn’t around for the heartbreak of two years ago, but he knows how important it is to move on quickly in the NFL.

“You get right back to work, you know?” Cousins said. “We were in yesterday, watching tape, talking about the plan, and today again. You just get in your routine. You just get right back into it like you do Weeks 1 through 17.”

Then there are the guys who played in those two games in January 2018. The top three pass-catchers – Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen and Rudolph – are still around. Two of the starting offensive linemen are the same. Most notably, nine of the 11 starters on the 2017 defense are still Vikings. That defense allowed the fewest points (15.8) and yards (275.9) per game in the NFL. After a strong start against the Saints, it struggled in the second half. Then it disappeared completely a week later, giving up 31 points and 456 yards to the Eagles offense.

Two years later, the Vikings' defense has regressed a bit. That wasn’t apparent on Sunday, as the unit flexed its muscles against the Saints, holding Drew Brees and the NFC’s best offense to 20 points. This is still a veteran defense with talent on all three levels, led by one of the league’s wisest defensive minds in Zimmer. It’s a prideful, veteran group that doesn’t want to be embarrassed again.

“I think we’re gelling at the right time,” said Everson Griffen, the Vikings’ longest-tenured player. “We have to be able to carry it over. Can we do it again this week? Can we play better? Because that’s what it’s going to take to be able to win this game. We have to be able to go into Levi’s Stadium, go out there and play better than we did last week.”

“It all starts with practice, just going out there and being smart in practice, doing the right things and trying to gameplan the right way,” Griffen said of avoiding another letdown. “I think right now, during the season, it’s more about the mental part of the game.”

The defense has a tall task ahead against a 49ers offense that finished second in scoring and fourth in total yards during the regular season. Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle and a potent rushing attack are well-rested and will have home-field advantage. These Vikings are well aware of the challenge. Even after a win over a Saints team that had championship-level talent, they aren’t taking anyone lightly.

They remember two years ago. They remember how it felt to go from the ultimate highs to the lowest of lows. They’re not satisfied with just one playoff win. That’s why Cook didn’t bother to celebrate on the field after Rudolph’s catch. It’s why veterans were telling others to settle down in the postgame locker room.

This team is thinking bigger.

“This is the playoffs,” said Danielle Hunter. “Some guys have been in this league X amount of years and they’ve never been to the playoffs, so it’s an experience where we know we have to be focused. This opportunity doesn’t come around often.” PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 1/8/20

Tuesday's Vikings-49ers Injury Report

By Chris Corso

The Vikings have released the initial injury report ahead of the NFC Divisional playoff game against the 49ers in San Francisco on Saturday.

Minnesota completed the first practice of the week on Tuesday at the TCO Performance Center.

Tuesday's practice was a walk-through for Minnesota so the participation statuses are estimations.

Safety Jayron Kearse (toe/knee), defensive tackle Linval Joseph (knee), cornerback Mackensie Alexander (knee) and wide receiver Stefon Diggs (illness) all did not participate in practice on Tuesday.

Cornerback Xavier Rhodes (ankle/shoulder), defensive end Stephen Weatherly (foot), guard Josh Kline (elbow), defensive tackle Shamar Stephen (knee), tight end Tyler Conklin (knee), defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (hamstring) and running back Dalvin Cook (shoulder) were all full participants in practice on Tuesday.

For the San Francisco 49ers defensive end Dee Ford (quadricep/hamstring), guard Mike Person (neck) defensive end Kentavius Street (knee) were all limited at practice on Tuesday.

Head Coach Brian Shanahan also confirmed that defensive back Jaquiski Tartt to be a "full go" prior to practice.

Tartt suffered a ribs injury in San Francisco’s Week 13 loss at the and has been absent every week since.

VIKINGS:

Table inside Article Name Position Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Game Status Jayron Kearse S Toe/Knee DNP Linval Joseph NT Knee DNP Mackensie Alexander CB Knee DNP Stefon Diggs WR Illness DNP Xavier Rhodes CB Ankle/Shoulder FP Stephen Weatherly DE Foot FP Josh Kline G Elbow FP Shamar Stephen DT Knee FP Tyler Conklin TE Knee FP Ifeadi Odenigbo DE Hamstring FP Dalvin Cook RB Shoulder FP 49ERS

Table inside Article Name Position Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Game Status Dee Ford DE Quad/Hamstring LP Mike Person G Neck LP Kentavius Street DE Knee LP To view the full injury report for both teams click here.

Practice Status

DNP - Did not participate in practice

LP - Limited participation in practice

FP - Full participation

(-) - Not listed PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 1/8/20

New Week, New Rush Plan Likely for Vikings D-Line Vs. 49ers

By Craig Peters

EAGAN, Minn. — Reviewing the film — you know, the one where the Vikings pass rush delivers a virtuoso performance in a city famed for jazz — can wait.

Vikings players didn’t bask in the footage from Minnesota’s win over New Orleans on Sunday in the Wild Card round.

They know what’s there — a convincing display by a unit that significantly affected future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees and an explosive offense — and are on a short week with a trip to top-seeded San Francisco on the docket.

Kickoff is 3:35 p.m. (CT) Saturday for the game that will air on NBC.

Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter each recorded three quarterback hits and 1.5 sacks, meeting at Brees to split Minnesota’s first takedown of the day and force a field goal.

The rushers came from the edge of the line on that one. Later they kicked inside to the defensive tackle spots where they could use their quickness, strength and agility against Saints guards Andrus Peat and Larry Warford, who flanked rookie center Erik McCoy.

The duo responsible for more sacks (99.5 in regular-season games) than any other set of teammates in the NFL since Hunter’s selection in 2015 also had the benefit of starting plays closer to Brees.

“We did what we had to do to win the game,” the low-key Hunter said. “Whatever our game plan is, that’s what we’re going to go with.

“Everything happens quicker in the middle, whereas on the edge, you have to have time to build up your rush,” the fifth-year player added.

The Vikings deployed the strategy at critical junctures of the game, and symphonic execution brought the idea to fruition.

Ifeadi Odenigbo, who has played defensive end and defensive tackle, gave a deeper explanation of the approach.

“It was huge because the two [Saints] tackles, [Terron] Armstead and [Ryan] Ramczyk, on paper, they hadn’t given up a sack all year,” Odenigbo said. “And the way that Drew Brees sets as a quarterback, one thing you’ve got to figure out as a d-end, a lot of times when you’re rushing around the corner, nine yards is really the hot spot for where a quarterback is stepping back. Drew Brees steps back around six or seven yards, so from a d-line standpoint, we thought it was better to have our two best pass rushers, Danielle and Everson, rush from inside.

“When we did that, you could just tell that the center and guards were in shock because we hadn’t shown that on film,” Odenigbo added. “It was huge that they did that and worked out big-time throughout the game.”

The approach is on film now for 49ers coaches and players to digest.

San Francisco Head Coach Kyle Shanahan was asked Tuesday if the success that the Vikings had with Griffen and Hunter on the inside adds to the preparation workload.

“No, that’s something that doesn’t surprise you. Teams do that a lot. I know they haven’t done it much,” Shanahan said. “They had whatever their reason was for doing it, and it was effective and helped them out, and we’ll see where they are versus us.

“Regardless of where they are, there’s five guys who can block them, and we’ll see which one they’ll put them in front of,” he continued. “Those guys are a challenge wherever they’re at – whether they’re over the guards, the center or the tackles.”

Like Odenigbo (and now Griffen and Hunter), Stephen Weatherly has rushed from the edge and interior this season. He said the defensive linemen look forward to learning each week’s plan that has been designed according to the different challenges that passers present. Defensive line coach Andre Patterson and assistant defensive line coach Rob Rodriguez craft the plan and unveil it in a position meeting.

“When it looks as nice as it did last week, it was kind of tough, keeping it under wraps for as long as we did,” Weatherly said. “As soon as we brought it out for the first time, the Saints had a lot to account for to try to figure it out.

“I don’t know what it’s going to be this week, but when we unveil it Saturday against the 49ers, hopefully we get some results like we did last week,” Weatherly added.

One could go back to the dog days of training camp or even the offseason program before pads were donned for the first time in 2019 to see the concept being examined as a potential new wrinkle, but the use of Griffen and Hunter in the middle definitely caught the Saints guards, well, off-guard.

“We always played around with it throughout the whole year,” said Jalyn Holmes, who recovered the forced by Hunter on a sack. “It definitely was a great idea. Those are two amazing players, and they play well together. They study hard, prepare themselves. The best in the game, so it worked out for us.”

The ball that Holmes collected on Tuesday rested in his locker at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.

“It was a great feeling. At the moment, I was just thinking about grabbing the ball,” Holmes said. “I’m glad I could do it and help the team get into a better position to win the game. I’m just glad that we’re still fighting and on to San Francisco.”

Niners QB Jimmy Garoppolo described the Vikings defense as talented and “very sound.”

“They have their rules, and they stick to their rules,” Garoppolo said. “[Head Coach Mike] Zimmer does a great job getting them in great plays, and they make it tough on offenses. That D-line, they’re impressive. They’ll get after you. So, it will be a good test for us.”

In addition to creating pressure on Garoppolo this week, Minnesota also must slow down a San Francisco offense that ranked second in the NFL with 144.1 rushing yards per game.

Griffen has flourished since becoming a full-time starter in 2014 when Zimmer and Defensive Coordinator George Edwards were hired, recording 57 of his 74.5 career sacks in an 88-game span.

“The coaching staff does a great job of putting us in the best position to go make plays,” Griffen said. “I think that’s what they did … the coaching staff did that. I feel like they’re going to do the same thing this week. Put us in the best position to go make plays.”

And if he’s asked to shift inside again?

“You just react. How I train and stuff like that, how our coaches train … you just have to be ready for whatever they throw at you,” Griffen said. “They say football is 80 percent mental and 20 percent physical, and that’s true. Right now we’re at the 80-percent mental part, but we have to keep grinding and keep growing. We have to get ready to go into Levi’s Stadium and win … that’s our goal.” PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 1/8/20

10 Vikings-49ers Numbers of Note: Meeting for Series’ 6th Divisional Round Matchup

By Lindsey Young

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings stunned the Saints – and many others outside of Minnesota’s locker room – with a thrilling overtime win during Wild Card weekend.

It’s now on to San Francisco, where the Vikings will face off against the No. 1-seed 49ers in hopes of continuing their postseason trek toward Super Bowl LIV.

Kickoff is set for 3:35 p.m. (CT) Saturday.

The playoff matchup will mark the 48th game (excluding preseason) between the teams. Minnesota is 22-19-1 against the 49ers in the regular season but just 1-4 in postseason contests, all of which have been in the Divisional round of the playoffs. The Vikings under Head Coach Mike Zimmer are 1-1 against the 49ers, most recently defeating them 24-16 in the 2018 season opener at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Here’s a look at 10 numbers of note in advance of Saturday’s Divisional round game:

6-2 – The Vikings are 6-2 against the 49ers since their last postseason meeting. Minnesota fell 38-22 to San Francisco in the Divisional round on Jan. 3, 1998, and have since won six of the past eight matchups.

252 – Stefon Diggs has totaled 20 catches for 252 yards in four career playoff games, including the Divisional round game against the Saints in January 2018, during which he starred in the Minneapolis Miracle play. Diggs had just two catches for 19 yards at New Orleans on Sunday, a 9-yard grab on third-and-1 that set up a Dalvin Cook score two plays later.

77 – In three career postseason contests for the Vikings, Adam Thielen has averaged 77 yards per game, which ranks sixth all-time in team history. Former Vikings receiver Amp Lee tops the list with 109 yards per outing in two playoff games.

29.9 – The 49ers averaged 29.9 points scored per game in the regular season, which ranked second in the NFL. The Vikings 25.4 points per game ranked eighth in the league. The most combined points ever scored between the two teams was 83, when Minnesota defeated San Francisco 42-41 in 1965.

8 – The Vikings defense tied for the third-fewest rushing touchdowns in the NFL in 2019, giving up just eight during the regular season. Minnesota allowed a rushing score by Saints RB Alvin Kamara in Sunday’s Wild Card game. San Francisco led the NFL with 23 rushing touchdowns in 2019.

Through the Years: Vikings vs. 49ers Look back at photos over the course of time featuring games between the Vikings and the 49ers.

102.0 – 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo finished the 2019 regular season with a passer rating of 102.0, which was eighth-best in the NFL. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins’ overall rating of 107.4 ranked fourth in the league.

17 – Since Minnesota’s Week 12 bye, the Vikings have secured 17 takeaways, six more than the next-closest team (11 by Buffalo and Tampa Bay). The Vikings have a league-leading nine opponent fumble recoveries and eight interceptions (tied with Green Bay) in that span.

6.5 – Four 49ers defensive linemen recorded at least 6.5 sacks during the regular season: Arik Armstead (10), Nick Bosa (9.0), DeForest Buckner (7.5) and Dee Ford (6.5). Minnesota and San Francisco each totaled 48 sacks, which tied for the league’s fifth best.

479 – San Francisco racked up 479 points during the regular season, which trailed only Baltimore (531). The point total ties for second-best in 49ers history, matching the season total of the 1998 San Francisco squad.

97 – The Vikings limited the Saints to 97 yards rushing on Sunday, which was the second-best outing of Wild Card weekend. The 49ers, who had a first-round bye, ranked 17th in rushing yards allowed per game (112.6) during the regular season and second in rushing yards gained (144.1 per game). PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 1/8/20

Lunchbreak: 3 Vikings Listed as Most Impactful in Playoffs Thus Far

By Eric Smith

The Vikings used a full team effort to get a win Sunday in New Orleans, and they will likely need the same this weekend if they want to get past the 49ers.

But there were a few individual performances that stood out to Robert Mays, who writes for The Ringer.

Mays broke down the most impactful players from the playoffs thus far and singled out Danielle Hunter, Adam Thielen and Anthony Harris for their play against the Saints.

Mays pointed out Hunter’s incredible athleticism, noting that the 24-year-old “just doesn’t move like other defensive ends.” Hunter had 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble on Drew Brees.

Mays wrote:

Since entering the league, Hunter has really refined his pass-rush skills, but his best trait remains his ability to instantly change directions. No other pass rusher (aside from maybe Jadeveon Clowney) gets from 0 to 60 as fast as Hunter, and that acceleration was on full display against the Saints.

On his strip-sack in the fourth quarter, Hunter barely moves at the snap, which causes All-Pro right tackle Ryan Ramczyk to hesitate for just a beat. With Ramczyk standing still, Hunter explodes inside, works his way into the backfield, and drags Drew Brees to the turf. It’s a move that’s just not possible for many defensive ends. It was also the first sack that Ramczyk has allowed this season.

Mays also mentioned Thielen and noted that he “is back and healthy, and his presence is a boon for the Vikings offense.” The Vikings wide receiver had seven receptions for 129 yards, including a 43-yard catch in overtime that helped set up Kyle Rudolph’s game-winning score.

Mays wrote:

Thielen is a master at the subtleties of creating separation, but an area of his game that occasionally gets overlooked is how well he tracks the ball in the air. His 43-yard reception in overtime — the one that set up the Vikings game- winning score — may not look like an especially impressive catch, but locating the ball over his shoulder and holding on to it while getting yanked down by Patrick Robinson is immensely difficult.

The same goes for his 34-yard reception in the third quarter, which seemed to shatter cornerback Marshon Lattimore’s soul. When he’s right, Thielen is one of the most complete receivers in the NFL, and his return could make the difference for a Vikings playoff run.

Mays also had praise for Harris, whom he called “the best player that casual fans don’t know about.” Mays broke down the safety’s clutch second-quarter pick against Brees.

He’s brilliant in coverage and has a playmaking ability that few safeties possess. Harris finished tied with All-Pro cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Tre’Davious White for the league lead in interceptions (six), and his pick against Drew Brees on Sunday showed exactly what makes him great.

Harris started the play as a deep safety on the right hashmark to shade coverage toward Michael Thomas. The Saints star receiver ran a deep in route, and Brees clearly thought that would suck Harris toward the line of scrimmage. But instead of taking the bait, Harris maintained his position in the deep middle and picked off a deep throw for Ted Ginn Jr. Discipline, range, ball skills. That’s a play that requires all three. Harris and Harrison Smith is just an unfair safety duo.

The Vikings and 49ers will meet Saturday in the Divisional round at Levi’s Stadium. Kickoff is at 3:35 p.m. (CT).

Souhan: Vikings-49ers could be decided in the trenches

Scanning for an area that could help decide Saturday’s matchup? Look no further than the line of scrimmage.

Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune recently wrote that Minnesota will need to be at its best against San Francisco at the point of attack on both sides of the ball.

In other words, Souhan said, the Vikings will need a repeat performance of Sunday’s effort in New Orleans.

Souhan wrote:

The formula is not some secret sauce. It’s Football 101. Win the line of scrimmage, win the game. At least that’s the case most of the time.

The Vikings will need a repeat performance but be even better Saturday vs. the San Francisco 49ers, who pose a tougher physical challenge than what the Vikings faced in the bayou.

As [Vikings Head Coach Mike] Zimmer noted Monday, the playoffs are “big boy football,” and this is a big boy matchup of like-minded teams.

The 49ers and Vikings rank No. 2 and No. 4, respectively, in the NFL in rushing attempts per game. Two power rushing teams. Two brute-force defensive lines. Two blueprints that rely on brawn.

The NFL should show this game in black-and-white as an homage to yesteryear.

Through the Years: Vikings vs. 49ers Look back at photos over the course of time featuring games between the Vikings and the 49ers.

The Vikings and 49ers each recorded 48 total team sacks in the regular season, which tied for fifth in the NFL.

Offensively, as Souhan noted, both teams like to line up and run the ball. Minnesota ranked sixth in the league with 133.3 rushing yards per game, while San Francisco was second at 144.1 yards per game.

If the Vikings can win early and often near where the ball is snapped, it could bode well for their chances of another upset win.

Souhan wrote:

The Vikings answered that call on both lines against the Saints. That’s where everything starts and typically gets settled. This game will be no different. PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 1/8/20

Game Preview: Vikings-49ers

By Craig Peters

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings began the new year with an upset in New Orleans and are seeking another this weekend when they visit the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday for a Divisional round playoff game.

NBC will broadcast the sixth postseason contest between the franchises. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:35 p.m. (CT).

Minnesota claimed the first overtime playoff victory in franchise history and its first road playoff victory since January 2005 with a 26-20 win in New Orleans that stunned the Saints and shunned prognosticators from coast-to-coast.

The reward is a trip to the Bay Area to face the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC to play again as an underdog and this time on short rest.

San Francisco’s win over the in Week 16 locked up a playoff berth for the Vikings. The 49ers then claimed the NFC West with a Week 17 triumph at Seattle that went down to the wire.

Head-to-head tiebreakers over Green Bay and New Orleans gave San Francisco (13-3) the top seed. The Packers are the No. 2 seed and will host the fifth-seeded Seahawks on Sunday.

Minnesota made the playoffs for the 30th time in the team’s 59 seasons and for the third time in six seasons under Head Coach Mike Zimmer. Sunday’s game will be Zimmer’s 101st with Minnesota (excludes preseason) and the 51st playoff game in Vikings history.

Minnesota’s offense ranked 16th in yards per game (353.5), 10th in yards per play (5.83), sixth in rushing yards per game (133.3), 23rd in passing yards per game (220.2) and eighth in points per game (25.4) in 2019.

San Francisco’s offense ranked fourth in the NFL in yards per game (381.1), fifth in yards per play (6.02) and second in rushing yards per game (144.1). The 49ers ranked 13th in passing yards per game (237.0) and second in points per game (29.9).

The Vikings were fifth in the NFL in points against (18.9 per game), 14th in yards allowed per game (341.6), 13th in rushing yards allowed per game (108.0) and 15th in passing yards allowed per game (233.6).

The 49ers ranked eighth in the NFL in points against (19.4 per game), second in yards allowed per game (281.8), 17th in rushing yards allowed per game (112.6) and first in passing yards allowed per game (169.2).

TV BROADCAST

NBC (KARE 11 in the Twin Cities)

Kickoff: 3:35 p.m. (CT) Saturday

Play-by-Play: Al Michaels

Analyst: Cris Collinsworth

Sideline Reporter: Michele Tafoya

ON MOBILE

Because this is a national broadcast, fans from coast to coast will be able to watch the game on their iOS mobile devices with the VIKINGS APP or VIKINGS MOBILE SITE (Safari browser only).

LOCAL RADIO

KFAN 100.3-FM/KTLK 1130-AM in Minneapolis/St. Paul

Play-by-Play: Paul Allen

Analyst: Pete Bercich

Sideline Reporters: Greg Coleman & Ben Leber

Radio Pre-game Show: Mike Mussman | 1:30 p.m. (CT)

KFAN and KTLK serve as the flagship stations for the five-state Vikings Radio Network.

NATIONAL RADIO

Westwood One Sports

Play-by-Play: Ryan Radtke

Analyst: Tony Boselli

Sideline Reporter: Scott Kaplan

Through the Years: Vikings vs. 49ers Look back at photos over the course of time featuring games between the Vikings and the 49ers.

STAT OF THE WEEK

Since Minnesota’s Week 12 bye, the Vikings have recorded 17 takeaways, six more than the next-closest team (11 by Buffalo in seven games and by Tampa Bay in six games).

NORSEMAN NOTES

The Vikings are seeking multiple wins in a postseason for the first time since January 1988. Coincidentally, the 1987 team accomplished that feat 32 years ago by winning a Wild Card game in New Orleans and upsetting the 49ers in San Francisco in a six-day span.

QB Kirk Cousins finished 2019 with a passer rating of 107.4, which ranked fourth in the NFL this season and as the second-highest by a Vikings QB in any season. He had nine games this season with a passer rating of 100.0 or higher. His previous career best for a season was 101.6 with Washington in 2015.

Cousins ranked fourth in the NFL in completion percentage (69.1) and eighth with 26 touchdown passes in 2019. He set a single-season record for most games with a completion percentage of 80 or higher (five games).

Dalvin Cook rushed for 94 yards on Sunday and became the first Viking to score multiple rushing touchdowns in a playoff game since Adrian Peterson rushed for three scores at New Orleans in the 2009 NFC Championship on Jan. 24, 2010.

Stefon Diggs set a new career-high of 1,130 receiving yards in 2019, giving him back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the first time in his career. He was one of three NFL players to reach 1,000 yards on fewer than 100 targets (94).

Adam Thielen recorded the first 100-yard playoff game of his career on Sunday, finishing with seven receptions for a game-high 129 yards. The total ranks seventh by a Vikings receiver in one postseason contest.

The eight rushing touchdowns allowed by the Vikings in 2019 tied for the third-fewest this season.

Danielle Hunter recorded 1.5 sacks on Sunday and forced a fumble by Drew Brees. In the regular season, Hunter matched his single-season career best of 14.5 sacks, which tied for fourth in the NFL in 2019. He became the youngest player (25 years, 40 days) to record 50 career sacks.

Everson Griffen also recorded 1.5 sacks of Brees on Sunday, boosting his career postseason sacks total to 4.5 in five games. He ranks fourth in franchise history behind Carl Eller (10), (8.0) and Jim Marshall (7.5).

Eric Kendricks tied for the league lead among linebackers with 12 pass breakups on the season. He also finished the season as Minnesota’s leading tackler, extending his streak to five consecutive years, which trails only Scott Studwell and Chad Greenway for the franchise record. Studwell and Greenway led Minnesota for six consecutive seasons.

Anthony Harris tied for the league lead with six interceptions in 2019. He became the first Vikings player to lead the league in interceptions since Brian Russell in 2003. Harris extended his strong campaign into the postseason by picking off Brees and returning the ball 30 yards to set up Minnesota’s first touchdown on Sunday.

Vikings Roster in Photos View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster for the 2019 season.

VIKINGS-49ERS CONNNECTIONS

Minnesota Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Advisor Gary Kubiak and tight ends coach Brian Pariani began their NFL careers with San Francisco.

Vikings Director of Competition Development Mark Uyeyama worked for the 49ers from 2008-16 as an assistant strength and conditioning coach and Director of Human Development.

Joe Woods, the 49ers defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator, coached Vikings defensive backs for eight seasons (2006-13).

San Francisco pass rush specialist Chris Kiffin is the son of former Minnesota assistant coach Monte Kiffin, who coached Vikings linebackers in playoff games against the 49ers after the 1987-89 regular seasons.

49ers LB Elijah Lee was drafted by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft and RB Jerick McKinnon (Injured Reserve) played his first four seasons with Minnesota after his selection in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

LOCAL CONNECTIONS

The Vikings have five players — Anthony Barr (San Pedro), Eric Kendricks (Fresno), Sean Mannion (Pleasanton), Alexander Mattison (San Bernardino) and Dru Samia (West Sacramento) — from California on their 53-man roster. Pariani (San Francisco) and defensive line coach Andre Patterson (Richmond) also are from California.

COACHING CONNECTIONS

Kubiak and Pariani were on the Texans staff with San Francisco Head Coach Kyle Shanahan, Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh and Special Teams Coordinator Richard Hightower.

Minnesota assistant special teams coach Ryan Ficken and Shanahan coached together at UCLA in 2003.

PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS

Vikings G Josh Kline and 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo teamed together with the Patriots.

Minnesota P Britton Colquitt, Kubiak, Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Rick Dennison, Pariani and quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak overlapped with San Francisco WR Emmanuel Sanders and OL Ben Garland in Denver.

Gary Kubiak, Dennison and Pariani were on the Ravens staff during part of 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk’s time with Baltimore. Dennison was Buffalo’s offensive coordinator when San Francisco WR Jordan Matthews was with the Bills in 2017.

Vikings K Dan Bailey teamed with 49ers LB Mark Nzeocha in Dallas.

Minnesota Special Teams Coordinator Marwan Maalouf was with the Colts when San Francisco T Michael Person was in Indianapolis.

Vikings RB Ameer Abdullah and T Riley Reiff overlapped with 49ers G Laken Tomlinson and TE Levine Toilolo while with the Lions.

Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins played at Washington with Shanahan as his offensive coordinator and when Hightower was on the coaching staff.

COLLEGE CONNECTIONS

Vikings DT Jaleel Johnson with 49ers QB C.J. Beathard and TE George Kittle at Iowa

Minnesota T Rashod Hill and San Francisco QB Nick Mullens at Southern Miss

Vikings DE Stephen Weatherly with 49ers OL Justin Skule and WR Jordan Matthews at Vanderbilt

Minnesota C Garrett Bradbury and San Francisco DL Kentavius Street at N.C. State

Vikings G Pat Elflein and DT Jalyn Holmes with 49ers DL Nick Bosa at Ohio State

Vikings DE Danielle Hunter and 49ers LB Kwon Alexander at LSU

VIKINGS TOP PERFORMERS VS. 49ERS

Offense

Kirk Cousins: 2 games (2 starts; 1 with Washington and 1 with Minnesota), 45-of-73 passing, 574 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, passer rating of 98.8; 8 rushes for 52 yards and a TD

Stefon Diggs: 1 game (1 start), 3 receptions, 43 yards, TD; 1 rush for 8 yards

Adam Thielen: 1 game (1 start), 6 receptions, 102 yards

Kyle Rudolph: 3 games (3 starts), 11 receptions, 100 yards, 3 TDs

Defense

Linval Joseph: 4 games (4 starts), 13 tackles (league stats), 2.0 sacks, FF; 2 tackles and 1 PBU in 1 playoff game

Xavier Rhodes: 2 games (2 starts), 9 tackles (league stats), 1 INT, 1 PBU

Harrison Smith: 3 games (3 starts), 22 tackles (league stats), 1.0 sack, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 1 FR

VIKINGS BIG DAYS VS. 49ERS

While with Washington in 2017, Cousins passed for 330 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a 7-yard touchdown in a 26-24 win over San Francisco. He also won his first start as the Vikings QB in the 2018 season opener.

Rudolph recorded the first two-touchdown game of his career against San Francisco on Sept. 23, 2012.

Diggs and Thielen combined for 145 yards and a score against the 49ers on Sept. 9, 2018.

While with the Giants, Joseph recorded a sack in each of his first two games against the 49ers.

Smith was awarded NFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording seven tackles, a sack, an interception, two tackles for loss and recovering a fumble against San Francisco in Week 1 of 2018.

VIKINGS-49ERS SERIES NOTES

1. This will be the sixth postseason meeting and 48th overall between the Vikings and 49ers. The franchises are deadlocked at 23-23-1 all-time, which includes a 22-19-1 mark for Minnesota in the regular season and a 1-4 showing in playoff games. The 1987 Vikings upset the 49ers in the Divisional round of the playoffs 36-24 thanks to Anthony Carter posting 227 receiving yards and a dominant day by the defense.

2. In Week 1 of the 1979 season, Ahmad Rashad set a Vikings single-game record with four touchdowns (all receiving) to help Minnesota prevail 28-22.

3. The Vikings overcame a 24-point deficit against the 49ers in a 28-27 win on Dec. 4, 1977, when rookie led the largest comeback in franchise history. Kramer replaced Bob Lee, who was filling in for an injured .

Longest Vikings winning streak in series: 5 games (Sept. 15, 1963 through Oct. 24, 1965)

Longest Vikings losing streak in series: 4 games twice (Oct. 15, 1961 through Dec. 2, 1962 and Oct. 30, 1988 through Dec. 30, 1990)